The city of Moulay Idriss lst, sanctuary of human and moral
sciences. The great Àl Karaouiyne University has for eleven
centuries been a religions and intellectuel centre whose
influence has spread far beyond the Kingdom's boundaries. In
789, a pick-axe of silver and gold -"fas" in Arabic - was
presented to Idriss lst to use in tracing the outlines of the
city. Hence the name of the city, which lies at the far eastern
end of the plain of Saïss, bordered to the south by the hills
outlying the Atlas Mountains. Cradle of religions, cultural and
artistic traditions, Fes, the double city, is the kingdom's
spiritual capital.
The Andalousian mosque, dating from the 9th century, and further
embellished by successive rulers, is accessed through a mighty
door of sculpted cedar. An imposing minaret decorated with green
faiences crowns the Rsif Mosque. The medersas around the
Karaouiyne Mosque, former lodging houses for students coming
from outside the city, attest the importance of its thousand
years of history.
In the Medina, a labyrinth of sloping, winding alleyways are
crammed full of stalls and workshops. This is the famed Kissaria
-the commercial centre. A multitude of locally produced goods
are on sale in this incredible maze-cotton fabric, silk,
brocadework, slippers, and many more.
The craftsmen of the El Atterine souk offer the visitor a
non-stop spectacle. For hundreds of years such work bas been
regulated by traditional guilds, ensuring that its quality is
worthy of the city. Each district has its own speciality :
cobalt blue enamelled pottery, carpets, wrought iron ... one
looks on as the dyer stirs his yarns, steeped in their multitude
of colours, as the tanner tramples his skins under an open sky
-skins that the leather-worker will eventually adorn with fine
gilt for book-binding.
sites to visit:
Bab Boujloud
Leaving the souks through the Boujeloud gate with its décoration
of green and blue faiences, the riches contained in the
wonderful Museum of Moroccan Art await one. And the last marvel
of all -the Jamaî Palace, transformed in 1930 into a luxury
hotel, an incomparably elegant structure renowned for the
quality of its cuisine.
Medina Fez El Bali :
This is Morocco's oldest and most
interesting old town. It was declared a world cultural site by
UNESCO in 1976. Its narrow, twisting streets lead the casual
stroller to a myriad of historical marvels and suks (markets).
El Attarine :
This is the spice market. Without doubt it is
the most colorful one in Fez.
Nejjarine :
This little square got its name from the
furniture makers who work in the shops located in this district.
A lovely fountain covered with tiles and a fronton of sculpted
wood finely decorates the attractive little square. It is here
that one finds an old Funduk (or guest house), today a museum
exhibiting many marvels testifying to the history of woodworking
in Morocco.
El Henna : This is a small isolated square planted with
trees where one can find all sorts of products and objects of
natural beauty including henna.
Seffarine :
This lovely shaded square is where the sound of
the coppersmiths hammering out the metals resounds from shop to
shop.
Debbaghine :
Near Seffarine square, the smells lead you to
the tanner's quarter where the gifted artisans accomplish their
very special work.
Quarouiyen Mosque :
Founded in 862 by a Muslim lady, Fatima
El Fihria, who came from Quairouan. This is the oldest
university in the Arab Islamic world. Fourteen doors give access
to the inside of the university which has a priceless library
containing over 30.000 volumes.
Moulay Idriss Zaouia :
This edifice houses the tomb of
Moulay Idriss II, the founder of Fez. This is the top holy site
in the city.
M'dersa Bou Inania :
An Islamic university built between
1350 and 1357 by Merinid Sultan Abou Inane the architecture of
which is one of the masterpieces of Moorish art.
M'dersa Attarine :
This is a Koran school built in 1923 by
the Merinid Sultan Abou Said which boasts extremely beautiful
decoration.
Dar El Magana :
This is the hydraulic clock that dates from
1357 located at Talaa Sghira placed in an environment of
sculpted plaster and wood.
Dar Batha :
Built in 1894-1909 by sultan Moulay El Hassan
and transformed into a museum of arts and traditions of Fez and
its region.
Borj Sud :
This is a fortress built under the reign of
Saadian Sultan Ahmed El Mansour Dehbi (1578-1609). Today it
houses a light armaments museum. From the Borj one can take in
the splendid view looking over Fez El Bali.
Borj Nord :
More recent than the one to the South. Today it
houses an armaments museum exhibiting firearms and cutting and
thrusting arms dating from prehistorical times to the present.
This museum is also a great place to take in the wonderful view
over the city.
Bab Boujloud :
Even though built relatively recently in
1913, this place still remains a genuine architectural marvel.
Fès El Jedid :
A palatial group of building situated just to
the North of the city and built by the Merinids in the 18th
century for a residence of the prices of this dynasty. Fez El
Jedid includes the palace and royal palace spreading out over
more than 70 hectares.
