Place Mohammed V is the ceremonial heart of colonial-era Casablanca, a grand public square laid out during the French Protectorate and ringed by the great administrative buildings of that period. It is the best single spot to read the city's Mauresque architecture — the style that fused European civic grandeur with Moroccan arches, tilework and detailing — with the Wilaya (prefecture) and its clock tower, the main post office, the courthouse and the Bank Al-Maghrib all facing the open space.
At the centre, a large fountain plays (and is sometimes lit and choreographed in the evenings), while flocks of pigeons and rows of palms give the square its everyday character. It is a working civic space rather than a museum piece, so you'll see office workers crossing it and families pausing by the water. Note that the square has been renamed over the years, which is why older maps and the nearby Place des Nations Unies can cause confusion.
The surrounding buildings are largely offices, so the visit is mostly about the architecture and the open perspective — best appreciated on foot. A private driver can set you down at the square, point out the key façades, and fold it into a walking loop toward the Sacré-Cœur or the Marché Central without you navigating the one-way traffic yourself.
Highlights
- The Wilaya (prefecture) building and its landmark clock tower
- The monumental central fountain, sometimes lit in the evenings
- Mauresque-style façades blending French and Moroccan design
- The grand main post office and courthouse framing the square
- Rows of palms and the square's famous pigeons
- A short walk to the Sacré-Cœur Cathedral and Art Deco boulevards
Best Time to Visit
Morning for clear light on the façades, or evening when the fountain is illuminated; the square is open and walkable year-round.