Tours From Fes
Tours From Fes
Why visit Fes?
Even though Fez experienced a decline in power at the start of the 19th century, it is still a remarkably self-assured city with a captivating cultural and spiritual heritage. In its prime, Fez drew academics and thinkers, mathematicians and lawyers, theologians, and astronomers. Artisans built their homes and palaces, mosques, and madrasas (religious schools) were endowed by kings, and traders sold them exotic goods from the sub-Saharan and silk trade routes. Even though some areas of the largest car-free urban area are still in ruins, government efforts to restore the city are beginning to bear fruit. Donkeys still transport goods through the maze of alleyways. The Fez Medina is still home to about 90,000 people. It can appear in a constant state of chaos; some visitors fall in love immediately while others recoil in horror. But it has many charms. Apparent blind alleys lead to squares with beautiful fountains and streets bursting with fragrant food stands. A sea of minarets is revealed on the rooftops, and stooped doorways reveal tireless artisans.
Must see attractions in Fes
One of the city’s most recognizable sights is Chouara, the largest of the medina’s numerous tanneries (and smells). The area, which has been in operation since at least the 16th century, underwent extensive renovations in 2016, but the scene, as seen from the neighbouring balconies, still looks remarkably medieval. Observing the arduous physical labour that goes into creating the butter-soft, elegant leather goods sold in the nearby workshops is striking. When the pits are covered in coloured dye in the morning, try to arrive here.
The Merinid sultan Bou Inan constructed the most elegantly designed theological college in Fez between 1351 and 1357. Its interior courtyard is a masterpiece of intricate zellige tilework, carved plaster, and lovely cedar lattice screens beyond the imposing brass entrance doors. Student housing was located upstairs, and smaller courts on either side served as classrooms.
The former lodgings for travelling merchants have been converted into exhibitions of fine woodwork from all over Morocco, including doors, prayer beads, and musical instruments, in beautifully restored funds from the early 18th century. Many distinguish between Fez’s more Andalusian designs and the traditional Amazigh designs. The students’ wooden boards for Quranic recitation, which have been patched with copper and decorated with their diplomas, are a highlight. Despite its simplicity, the rooftop cafe offers fantastic views of the medina.
The megorashim (Jews descended from those expelled from Spain) were the target audience for this synagogue, which was constructed in the 17th century. It is decorated with pretty herringbone green tiles, turquoise octagonal pillars, and gleaming chandeliers. The guardian can highlight the key elements, such as the original deerskin Torah scrolls in an ark built into the wall and a mikvah (ritual bath) in the basement filled with water from an underground source. There are also B&W images of other Jewish sites in Morocco.
You’ll have to be content with admiring the palace’s seven imposing front gates, which are framed by exquisite tilework and carved cedar wood unless you have a special invitation to the palace grounds. They are modern craftwork masterpieces that were constructed in the 1960s. Tour guides frequently use the lemon trees planted in front as a prop when demonstrating how fruit juice can be used to clean ormolu (gilt bronze) doors.
Head to Ain Nokbi, a neighbourhood just outside the medina, where potters were relocated in 2013 to spare their neighbours the heat and dust of the kilns if you’re interested in learning how Fez’s exquisite pottery and tiles are made. Free tour guides will take you through each stage of production at Art Naji (and nearby businesses, which are all well-liked stops on bus tours), from throwing pots to painting to manually cutting the pieces for zellige tilework. Head to Ain Nokbi, a neighbourhood just outside the medina, where potters were relocated in 2013 to spare their neighbours the heat and dust of the kilns if you’re interested in learning how Fez’s exquisite pottery and tiles are made. Free admission is available at Art Naji (and nearby businesses, which are all popular stops on bus tours).
Fez El Bali, also known as Old Fez, is the largest car-free urban area in the world and is home to numerous mosques and monuments that date back hundreds of years. The traditional crafts practised here for centuries are well preserved as the local architecture. This is a unique opportunity to see how many Moroccan treasures are made, from fine leather to copper pots. Fez El Bali, also known as Old Fez, is the largest car-free urban area in the world and is home to numerous mosques and monuments that date back hundreds of years. The traditional crafts practised here for centuries are equally well preserved as the local architecture. This is a unique opportunity to see how many Moroccan treasures are made, from fine leather to copper pots.
This school, built in 1325 in the centre of the Medina, is a wonder of elegant mosaic tiles, magnificent cut plaster that is as fine as lace, and lovely original carved cedar. In a way, the institution served as a preparatory school for the nearby Kairaouine University; typically, students from there graduated. After being renovated in 2019, the upstairs rooms are now accessible as well, giving you a glimpse of the strikingly austere student lifestyle, though each room does have a letterbox.
