When the most imperial of all Morocco’s cities welcomes its guests, it is to have them experience an altogether unique art of living for themselves, Fez is nothing less than a great open-air museum, it’s Known as the cultural capital of Morocco, one place you’ll definitely want to see. Stroll around the winding streets to explore the famous Fes El Bali walled medina and shop the colourful souks while soaking in the old world charm.
GETTING TO FEZ
Fes is just over 300 miles from Marrakech so you can get there by train or plane. And it’s well worth the trip! This UNESCO World Heritage site city is one the most well-preserved old Arab cities in the world and it’s the planet’s largest car-free urban area.
NOT TO BE MISSED OUT ON
Chouara Tannery:
The largest of the medina’s several tanneries, Chouara is one of the city’s most iconic places in Fez, and the oldest tannery in the world, where they still operate as they did in medieval times. Here men make leather in a massive tannery surrounded by houses and shops. The smell can get rather intense, so a scarf to cover your nose (or some mint leaves to rub under it) is advised, as this is definitely a unique site to behold.
Medersa Bou Inania:
The most architecturally refined of Fez’s theological colleges were built by the Merinid sultan Bou Inan between 1351 and 1357. Beyond the massive brass entrance doors, Right at the entrance of the Old Medina lies the former college for Muslim intellectuals. it has been beautifully restored, featuring gorgeous mosaics, carved plaster, cedar mashrabiyyas (lattice screens) and impressively large doors. The inside is splendid, with a fountain in the courtyard and endless, hand-carved walls and zellij tilework. It also has rooms on two floors, where classes used to be taught.
Medersa El Attarine:
This Madrasa was located near the Al-Quaraouiyine Mosque and the Al-Attarine Souk, Founded in 1325 in the heart of the medina, this school is a marvel of elegant mosaic tiles, magnificent cut plaster as fine as lace and beautiful original carved cedar, plus classrooms indoors and a fountain in the courtyard.
Borj Nord Arms Museum:
Located above Fez el-Bali was built in the 16th century by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur to monitor the populace of Fez. Modelled on Italian forts, the building holds a display of European and Middle Eastern weapons, It’s an ideal place to get a fantastic view of the Old Medina if hiking all the way to Mount Zalagh feels a bit much. In 2016 it opened an arms museum, as it has stood through centuries of war and arms development. Here you’ll find information on the military history and traditions of Morocco, including impressive artefacts such as Arab daggers adorned with precious stones and jewels.
Mellah:
In 1438 Sultan Ar Rashid created Morocco’s first official Jewish district, And Fes el-Jdid became a refuge for the Jewish community, some 250,000 Jews lived in the area south of Bab Semmarine. since the creation of Israel, and only 70 now remain in Ville Nouvelle. The quarter is full of history and Jewish-style architecture, such as the Ibn Danan synagogue located in the heart of the Mellah, where some buildings housed people until the late 20th century.