Casablanca Cathedral or Church of the Sacred Heart is one of the most unusual buildings in Casablanca. And it's not only about the appearance but also the history that is associated with this large, beautiful, snow-white building.

Construction of the cathedral began in the 1930s when the city was under French rule. Then, in this Arab country, they wanted to build a large and impressive Christian temple that would show the greatness of religion. But the authorities did not plan to build something traditional. The fashion for functionality in architecture was already in full swing. Therefore, the architect was given the most difficult task: to create a temple that would correspond to European Christian traditions, fit modern fashion, and at the same time will not cause negativity among residents.

French architect Paul Tournon started creating this interesting and unusual project. To implement his idea, he chose a non-standard material - poured concrete. It was a pure experiment that could have succeeded or failed.

But thanks to Tournon's perseverance, his calculations, and masters' well-coordinated work, a huge and unique snow-white building – Church of the Sacred Heart – appeared in Casablanca. Everything is mixed here: neo-Gothic style, elements of traditional Muslim architecture, and the main towers of the temple are very similar to such familiar minarets for Morocco. The architect took into account all the wishes, and as a result, it turned out to be a masterpiece, which was awaited for a difficult fate.

Divine services in Casablanca Cathedral were infrequent as the city was mostly populated by Muslims. And this building was not a cathedral for long. In 1956, when Morocco gained independence, the local authorities hastened to abandon the remnants of the past and converted the temple into a training center: one of its parts housed a primary school, the other – educational courses for adults.

And 20 years later, a cultural center was opened here. So now, Casablanca Cathedral is a platform for exhibitions, fairs, and concerts. It is worth going here to admire the unusual view of the temple and visit some cultural events, after all, they are held here almost every day.