Bab Bou Jeloud

Welcome, fellow travelers and scholars of history, to the magnificent city of Fes, affectionately recognized as the undisputed cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco. We are standing at the absolute edge of time, positioned…

Standing proudly before us is the iconic exterior facade of Bab Bou Jeloud, universally known to travelers as the Blue Gate. This monumental archway is undoubtedly the most photographed landmark in Fes, serving as the definitive…

As we cross the shadowed threshold of the massive central archway and step into the historic confines of Fes el Bali, I urge you to immediately turn around and look back at the gate we just passed through. You will instantly…

Having successfully passed through the protective embrace of the green gates, we immediately encounter an overwhelming and delightful assault on the senses. The area immediately flanking the interior of Bab Bou Jeloud is a…

Continuing our walk along the primary pedestrian artery leading away from the Blue Gate, we must pause and look upwards at a structure on the right side of the street that is incredibly easy to overlook if you do not know its…

Directly across the narrow, bustling street from the ancient water clock, we arrive at the threshold of the Madrasa Bou Inania. Approaching this structure requires a bit of an analytical eye. …

Stepping through the heavy brass doors of the Madrasa Bou Inania, we are instantly transported into a space of breathtaking aesthetic harmony and profound tranquility. The interior courtyard opens up before us, a secluded…

Departing the serene confines of the madrasa, we now plunge deeply into the sprawling, chaotic heart of the Fes el Bali labyrinth. Navigating this vast network of over nine thousand twisting alleyways is a profoundly tactile and…

Emerging from the dense commercial alleyways, we arrive at a small, beautifully proportioned square, dominated by an incredibly impressive building that stands as a testament to both commerce and art. We are standing before the…

As we weave our way closer to the absolute geographic and spiritual center of the Medina, the density of the crowds increases, and the alleyways seem to tighten around us. We have arrived at the outer perimeter of the Al…

For the final stop on our walking tour, we arrive at a location that will challenge and engage your senses more intensely than anywhere else in the Medina. We are about to view the Chouara Tannery. …

As we stand high above the vibrant, labor intensive dye pits of the Chouara Tannery, inhaling the scent of fresh mint to ward off the heavy odors of industry, we have reached the logical conclusion of our journey through Fes el…