Bab Mahrouk

Welcome, esteemed traveler, to the great imperial city of Fez. You are currently standing at the northwestern perimeter of Fes el-Bali, the ancient walled medina that holds the distinction of being one of the largest and most…

We commence our detailed exploration standing in the sprawling, bustling outer plaza that stretches before the great walls of the medina. This specific area serves as a fascinating, albeit chaotic, buffer zone between the…

Having left the immediate chaos of the bus station behind, we now stand directly before the imposing, monumental exterior facade of Bab Mahrouk. Take a slow, deliberate look at the sheer scale of this defensive structure. …

We have now moved to stand directly in front of the massive, yawning archway that serves as the actual portal through the defensive wall. Look up at the curvature of the arch. …

Let us step slightly to the north, moving just to the side of the main thoroughfare, into the open space adjacent to the gate's flanking wall. This specific patch of ground, resting under the shadow of the fortress, served as the…

Now, let us cross over to the southern side of the gate's exterior plaza. Walk slowly, and take a moment to look at the ground beneath your feet. …

Let us now move forward, leaving the bright sunlight of the exterior plaza, and step directly into the deep, shaded expanse of the gate's inner passage. As you cross the threshold, notice the immediate drop in temperature and the…

We have now emerged from the dark, vaulted passage and are standing on the inner threshold of the gate, looking directly into the vibrant, densely packed streets of Fes el-Bali. Take a deep breath. …

For our final section before concluding, let us move slightly to the side of the main thoroughfare on the inside of the walls, finding a quiet vantage point where we can look back through the archway and gaze out over the…

As we conclude our detailed historical examination of Bab Mahrouk, let us pause here, just inside the safety of the medina walls, and reflect on the profound journey we have undertaken. We began amidst the noise, exhaust fumes,…