Medina of Fez

Welcome to the Medina of Fez, formally known as Fes el Bali. You are about to step into one of the most extensive and best-preserved historic towns in the Arab-Muslim world. …

Our formal entry into the Medina begins at Bab Bou Jeloud, universally recognized by travelers as the Blue Gate. Despite its appearance as an ancient medieval structure, this grandio entryway is actually a relatively modern…

Walking a short distance from the grand entrance, we arrive at a structure that silently testifies to the brilliant scientific mind of the medieval Islamic world: Dar al-Magana. This unassuming yet incredibly significant…

Directly opposing the silent water clock stands one of the most breathtaking structural achievements in all of Morocco: the Bou Inania Madrasa. Founded in thirteen fifty-one by the Marinid Sultan Abu Inan Faris, this institution…

Leaving the serene geometry of the madrasa, we plunge back into the vibrant circulatory system of the Medina: the artisan souks. Commerce has flowed through these specific alleyways since the ninth century, establishing a rhythm…

Navigating further into the depths of the Medina, we arrive at the Al-Attarine Madrasa. Built by the Marinid Sultan Uthman the Second at the dawn of the fourteenth century, this Islamic college derives its name from its location…

Just steps away from the Al-Attarine Madrasa lies the undisputed spiritual and intellectual heart of the city: the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University. Founded in the year eight hundred and fifty-nine, this monumental institution…

We now approach a site that demands preparation for a truly overwhelming sensory experience: the Chouara Tanneries. As you navigate the alleyways drawing near, the ambient scent of the Medina shifts dramatically, replaced by a…

As our walking journey through the Medina of Fez comes to an end, we find ourselves retreating from the dense, sensory overload of the labyrinth to seek a broader perspective. If you have the energy to venture just beyond the…