Things to see and do Fès

This architectural treasure merinid is in the grocers attarine) (hence the name of the medersa. Facing the mosque, this El-Karaouiyine medersa of rather modest size, for 60 students, was founded by Merinid in the 14th century. It is without doubt the monument most richly decorated with the city, with its zelliges is very elaborate, its plaster and carved covering all the upper floor of the walls. The wooden ceiling with carved cedar of the prayer room is a masterpiece of the time.

The carpenter and cabinetmaker sector (nejjarine in Arabic) is certainly one of the most beautiful urban and architectural complexes in Fez. With its 17th century fountain decorated with zelliges, Nejjarine Square offers a pleasant stop after a long stroll. At the bottom of the square, the Nejjarine foundouk, which was in use until the beginning of the 20th century, is worth a visit. The carpenters' souk is an opportunity to appreciate the work of craftsmen carving wood. Going along the museum on the left, you reach the Sidi Moussa tannery, which is smaller than the one in Chouara.

The location could not have been better chosen to install the first museum specialising in woodworking arts and crafts: an old 18th century caravanserai, magnificently restored and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the three levels, one discovers the know-how and dexterity of the craftsmen through several examples of use of Moroccan woods, on different themes. On the first floor, masterpieces of Fassie cabinet making are on display. Possibility to have a drink on the terrace, which reveals a beautiful view of the medina.

This cemetery with its bright white tombs is a moving visit. It contains, among others, the mausoleums of great rabbis and a saint, as well as the graves of 600 victims of the 1932 plague. The cemetery has a peaceful atmosphere that is rarely disturbed by visitors. At the back of the cemetery, you will find a museum created by Edmond Gabay, an enthusiast who has collected many souvenirs from Jewish families in Fez. Do not hesitate to come and meet him, he has his workshop just a few steps away. A small contribution is welcome.

Borj Nord faces its twin of the Southern part of town. Built in 1582 by Saadien Ahmed el-Mansour, the building was modified in the alaouite dynasty; the four corners have been equipped with salient corners in the spearhead shape, allowing a more efficient defence. Perfectly preserved, Borj houses a very interesting museum where you can discover a collection of weapons of time. It was transferred from the Batha museum in 1963, and most of the weapons have come from Makina, a manufacturing plant of weapons founded in Fès in the 19th century by the sultan Moulay Rachid. Thus the museum offers a chronological of the different types of armaments throughout its history, the age of the stone in the 20th century.

This sacred place shelters the tomb of Moulay Idriss II, under whose reign Fez became an imperial city, the first in Morocco. It is covered with a golden silk fabric, offered by the corporation of silk weavers, as well as the smaller one of his mother. It is a place of pilgrimage, where people come to invoke baraka, luck. The faithful will be able to touch the tomb of the holy man, a descendant of the Prophet's family, through a pierced copper plate.

Dominating the medina, this ancient fortress of the th century dates from the sultan saadien Ahmed el-Mansour. In the south of the city, shortly before the Bab Ftouh cemetery, it had a defensive role, since Fes, located between the chain of Rif and the Middle Atlas, was prey to Berber tribes scattered from the mountains. Surrounded by olive trees, Borj offers a breathtaking view of the old medina. From far away, the minarets of the mosques, many hundreds of them throughout the city, are extirpent from the unity of the colors of the medina, the whole of which surrounded by walls.

On the other bank of the Boukhrared wadi is the Andalusians, whose two treasures are the mosque of the Andalusians and, next door, the medersa Sahrij. Somewhat erased by the mosque El-Karaouiyne neighbour, the mosque of the Andalusians founded by a woman, Maryam al-Fihrya, the sister of Fatima (founder of Karaouiyine), in 860. The sanctuary has seven doors, whose most monumental, Bab Lahfa (gate), Barefoot is absolutely magnificent. Made of cedar and wrought iron, it is a rather unusual form for a mosque. The minaret dates back to 956. Finally, the presence of a rich library bears witness to the prestigious past of the mosque of the Andalusians. You can get there by the cif R' square or Bab Ftouh.

Prior to Bou Inania, it was built in 1325 on the order of the Mérinide Abou Said. In this mederasa mederasa, we can admire the finesse of the work of the most noble materials in Morocco, the white marble, the cedar of the Middle Atlas and bronze, in the entrance. A beautiful rectangular basin occupies the centre of the patio. What a pleasure it had to be for students to study in such a wonderful place and conducive to reflection! After long years of restoration, the mederasa reopened its doors in 2012, for the delight of lovers of calm and freshness!

More than for its not very spectacular ornaments, it is a medersa interesting to visit for its functional character. The medersa Cherratine is the largest of Fez and was built by Alaouites in the 17th century to lodge and train some 250 students.

Built in 1347 by Abou Hassan, one of the largest sultans merinid, near the mosque Qaraouiyne, this very large medersa takes its name from Abou Mesbah, scholar of the neighbouring grand mosque which taught there for the first time in the rate of theology. It has a beautiful pool fully marble imported directly from Andalusia. Partially ruins, the medersa was still under renovation during our stay.