The Fez Medina is no longer the political capital of Morocco since Rabat was given this title in 1912. Fez has two football teams, MAS Fez (Fés Maghrebi) and Wydad de Fès (WAF). One of the most important ones is the Marabout of Sidi Harazem in the Bab Ftouh Cemetery. Roughly 15 km south of Fes el-Bali is the region's main airport, Fes-Saïs. [19] Moulay Rashid also built a large new madrasa, the Cherratine Madrasa, in 1670. Awesome . The Fez Medina was discovered in the 9th century and became prominent when it replaced Marrakech as the capital of Morocco. [11] Religious tourism is also present due to the old city's many major zawiyas (Islamic shrines), such as the Zawiya of Moulay Idris II and the Zawiya of Sidi Ahmed al-Tijani, which attract both Moroccan and international (especially West African) pilgrims. [50], The 1465 Moroccan revolt in 1465 overthrew the last Marinid sultan. In 1276 after a massacre by the population to kill all Jews that was stopped by intervention of the Emir,[35] they founded Fes Jdid, which they made their administrative and military centre. [10], The city was first founded in 789 as Madinat Fas on the southeast bank of the Jawhar River (now known as the Fez River) by Idris I, founder of the Idrisid dynasty. Those visiting the Fez Medina in this way are assisted by staff who care for their every need as well as maintaining these world heritage buildings. Condition:Very good condition with slight wear along edges & corners. Elsewhere, the Jewish quarter (Mellah) is the site of the 17th-century Al-Fassiyin Synagogue and Ibn Danan Synagogue, as well multiple other lesser-known synagogues, though none of them are functioning today. Tick off all of Fez’s most historic hotspots in a single day on this in-depth guided tour, which takes you from the labyrinthine Medina, the world-famous tanneries, and the centuries-old ramparts. [13][12][125], The old city of Fez includes more than a hundred funduqs or foundouks (traditional inns, or urban caravanserais). Fes medina, Fes El Bali, 30110 Fez, Morocco – Excellent location – show map Excellent location – rated 9.3/10! The Fez Medina is also one of the most complex labyrinth cities in the world, with houses and shops built close together along tangled streets making it near impossible for visitors to find their own way around. Explore the Fez Medina. Situated at the foot of the Atlas Mountains near Mount Tghat, the city enjoys breathtaking scenery. After the overthrow of the Marinid dynasty, Fez largely declined and subsequently competed with Marrakesh for political and cultural influence, but remained as the capital under the Wattasids and in modern times up until 1912. This would lead to the Battle of Alcacer Quibir where Abd al-Malik's army would defeat the invading Portuguese army with the support of his Ottoman allies, ensuring Moroccan independence. Sefrou is located at the edge of the Middle Atlas mountain range, and is 30 kilometres (19 mi) southeast of Fez. The latter would flee to Portugal where he asked king Sebastian of Portugal for help to regain his throne. [109] The library of the Madrasa of al-Qarawiyyin was also established under Marinid rule around 1350, which stores a large selection of valuable manuscripts dating back to the medieval era. He built the Kasbah Cherarda (also known as the Kasbah al-Khemis) to the north of Fes el-Jdid and of the Royal Palace in order to house a large part of his tribal troops. It is distinct from Fez's now much larger Ville Nouvelle (new city) originally founded by the French. [12] The oldest sections of the walls today thus date back to this time. [143][144], The city's first private university, the Private University of Fez, was created in 2013 out of the École polytechnique de Technologie founded 5 years earlier. 1 (2007): 58-63. Thu - Thu 8:00 am - 12:00 am. At the start of the 13th century they broke down the Idrisid city walls and constructed new ones, which covered a much wider space. It is one of the oldest … Located to the northeast of the Atlas Mountains, Fez is situated at a crossroad connecting the important cities of different regions; 206 km (128 mi) from Tangier to the northwest, 246 km (153 mi) from Casablanca, 189 km (117 mi) from Rabat to the west, and 387 km (240 mi) from Ma… All trademarks and web sites that appear throughout this site are the property of their respective owners. Originally, the dye for the hats came from a berry that was grown outside the city, known as the Turkish kızılcık or Greek akenia (Cornus mas). Fez's climate is strongly similar to that of Seville and Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain. Other kasbahs include the Kasbah Tamdert, built by the Saadis near Bab Ftouh, and the Kasbah Cherarda, built by the Alaouite sultan Moulay al-Rashid just north of Fes Jdid. Fes is also well known for its leather tanneries inside the medina. These two waves of immigrants gave the city its Arabic character and would subsequently give their name to the districts of 'Adwat Al-Andalus and 'Adwat al-Qarawiyyin. Austerity measures led to several riots and uprisings across other cities during the 1980s. Lat34North.com & Yahoo! [114][115] The Saadis also built a number of strong bastions in the late 16th century to assert their control over Fez, including notably the Borj Nord which is among the largest strictly military structures in the city and now refurbished as a military museum. [42] After his death Fez underwent another dark period. (see weather-table below). [37] They established the first madrasas in Morocco here in the city. Fez. The Ottomans would try to invade Morocco after the assassination of Mohammed ash-Sheikh in 1558, but were defeated by his son Abdallah al-Ghalib at the battle of Wadi al-Laban north of Fez. The medina of Fez visit was the greatest experience during our visit (my wife and I) in Morocco. North Africa, 1504-1799. All rights reserved. [12], Since the inception of the city, tanning industry has been continually operating in the same fashion as it did in the early centuries. [12] Today, it is an example of a kasbah serving as a residential district much like the rest of the medina, with its own neighborhood mosque. They are also provided with the use of a Moroccan cell phone during their stay. The military watchtowers built in its early days during the Idrisid era were relatively small. [12][24], In 1069–1070 (or possibly a few years later[23]), Fez was conquered by the Almoravids under Yusuf ibn Tashfin. Her sister, Mariam, is likewise reputed to have founded the Al-Andalusiyyin Mosque the same year. Located in the heart of the medina, Riad Fes is the perfect place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the area without having to leave the city. Fuel was provided by wood but also by recycling the waste by-products of other industries in the city such as wood shavings from carpenters' workshops and olive pits from the nearby olive presses. [13][12] Kasbah Dar Debibagh is one of the newest kasbahs, built in 1729 during the Alaouite era at 2 km from the city wall in a strategic position. [70][67]:255, After Morocco regained its independence in 1956 many of the trends begun under colonial rule continued and accelerated during the second half of the 20th century. This resulted in the arrest of nationalist leaders followed by the violent suppression of protests across many cities, including Fez. [12] In 1033, under the leader Tamim, several thousand Jews were killed in the Fez Massacre. The Andalusians mainly settled in Madinat Fas, while the Tunisians found their home in Al-'Aliya. [109], The gates of Fez, scattered along the circuit of walls, were guarded by the military detachments and shut at night. [20], Upon the death of Idris II in 828, the dynasty's territory was divided among his sons. Fez reached its zenith in the Marinid era (13th-15th centuries), regaining its status as political capital. In recent years efforts have been underway to restore and rehabilitate the old medina, ranging from the restoration of individual monuments to attempts to rehabilitate the Fez River. [53], After the death of Abdallah al-Ghalib a new power struggle would emerge, after Abd al-Malik would take Fez with Ottoman support and oust his nephew Abu Abdullah. [19][31][25] However, due to Fez's continuing economic and military importance, the Almohad caliph Ya'qub al-Mansur ordered the reconstruction of the ramparts. Medina of Fez – Morocco’s Cultural and Spiritual Center, Tourist Attractions and Wonders of Morocco to Explore, Explore the Wonders of Morocco’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Ksar of Ait Ben-Haddou – UNESCO World Heritage Site, Essaouira Medina – A Seaside UNESCO World Heritage Site, Marrakech Medina – Founded by the Almoravids in the 11th Century, Explore the Portuguese City of Mazagan on the Atlantic Coast, Medina of Tetouan – Explore the Past at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, Archeological Site of Volubilis – Intriguing UNESCO World Heritage Site, Meknes – Historic City and UNESCO World Heritage Site. [72] In 1981, the old city, consisting of Fes el-Bali and Fes Jdid, was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Fes medina is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. [24][25] Other structures built in his time included hammams (bathhouses), mosques, and the first bridges over the Oued Bou Khareb (mostly rebuilt in later eras). Ziri ibn Atiyya, the first ruler of the new dynasty, had a troubled reign. Soak Up the Atmosphere of Fes el-Bali. [66][13] By contrast, the old city (medina) of Fez was increasingly settled by poorer rural migrants from the countryside. [12] The oldest gates today, and historically the most important ones of the city, are Bab Mahrouk (in the west), Bab Guissa (in the northeast), and Bab Ftouh (in the southeast). For this reason, the kasbah was also known as the Kasbah Filala ("Kasbah of the people from Tafilalt"). In 1276 the Marinid sultan Abu Yusuf Yaqub also founded the royal administrative district of Fes el-Jdid, where the royal palace is still located today, to which extensive gardens were later added. See 774 traveler reviews, 425 candid photos, and great deals for Dar Fes Medina, ranked #9 of 272 B&Bs / inns in Fes … It is surrounded by hills and the old city is centered around the Fez River (Oued Fes) flowing from west to east. [31] Moulay Rashid set about restoring the city after a long period of neglect. Many of the buildings that loom over the small streets are from this period, renovated to keep up with modern usages but retaining the original character of this period. The watermarks do not show up on the actual postcard. [130] The warm and hot rooms were heated using a traditional hypocaust system just as Roman bathhouses did, with furnaces usually located behind the hot room. Medina of Fez is open: Tue - Wed 12:00 am - 11:59 pm. [19][31] Within this new corridor, between the two cities, were built new gardens and summer palaces used by the royals and the capital's high society, such as the Jnan Sbil Gardens and the Dar Batha palace. [19][31] He also restored or rebuilt what became known as the Kasbah an-Nouar, which became the living quarters of his followers from the Tafilalt region (the Alaouite dynasty's ancestral home). Although he did restore or rebuild some major monuments in the city, such as the Zawiya of Moulay Idris II, he also frequently imposed heavy taxes on the city's inhabitants and sometimes even forcibly transferred parts of its population to repopulate other cities in the country. 9.2 . [138][139] The university was first founded as a mosque by Fatima al-Fihri in 859 which subsequently became one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the historic Muslim world. Dar Batha is a former palace completed by the Alaouite Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz (ruled 1894-1908) and turned into a museum in 1915 with around 6,000 pieces. Successive waves of mainly Arab immigrants from Ifriqiya (Tunisia) and al-Andalus (Spain/Portugal) in the early 9th century gave the nascent city its Arab character. Geography. – Cabinet Consulting Expertise International", "Palais Glaoui | Fez, Morocco Attractions". We are using cookies to make the website better. Thu - Thu 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM. The hotel is located in one the city’s biggest palaces in the heart of the city, just minutes from the medina and other great ... Morocco.com. [56], Fez played a central role in the Hafidhiya, the brief civil war that erupted when Sultan Abd al-Hafid challenged his heavily Europe-allied brother Abdelaziz for the throne. [57], The last major change to Fez's topography before the 20th century was made during the reign of Moulay Hasan I (1873-1894), who finally connected Fes el-Jdid and Fes el-Bali by building a walled corridor between them. World Heritage Listing for Medina of Fez. Rainfall can reach up to 800 mm (31 in) in good years. The old city is located in a valley along the banks of the Oued Fes (Fez River) just above its confluence with the larger Sebou River to the northeast. This had the consequence of also splitting the Moulay Abdallah neighbourhood to the northwest from the rest of Fes el-Jdid. [69]:387–389[67]:168 Towards the end of World War II, Moroccan nationalists gathered in Fez to draft a demand for independence, which they submitted to the Allies on January 11, 1944. Some of them were occupied as well by citizens, certain tribal groups, and merchants. [a] Fez is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination and many non-Moroccans are now restoring traditional houses (riads and dars) as second homes in the medina. [109] Some of the main gates have existed, in different forms, since the earliest years of the city. Fez’s old city, the medina consists of more than 9400 alleys. Instead of the customary hotel, visitors are taken to a historic and romantic period of time where they are treated to a unique experience and a secret way of life that has only been opened to them in recent years. [30], In 1145 the Almohad leader Abd al-Mu'min besieged and conquered the city during the Almohad overthrow of the Almoravids. Fez is another imperial city and is the former capital of Morocco. Address. "Fez, Kingdom of Morocco", [61][62][63] The existence today of a Ville Nouvelle ("New City") alongside a historic medina in Fez was thus a consequence of this early colonial decision-making. A unique, ancient, and appealing city, the Fez Medina in Morocco holds true to its definition that it once was a non-European city in Africa or the Middle East. [13], The Jnane Sbile Garden was created as a royal park and garden in the 19th century by Sultan Moulay Hassan I (ruled 1873-1894) between Fes el-Jdid and Fes el-Bali. They both play in the Botola the highest tier of the Moroccan football system and play their home matches at the 45,000 seat Complexe Sportif de Fès stadium. After the downfall of the Idrisid dynasty, other empires came and went until the 11th century when the Almoravid Sultan Yusuf ibn Tashfin united the two settlements into what is today's Fes el-Bali quarter. Then manufacturing began in France and Turkey as well. Today UNESCO has designated the entire Medina of Fez as a world monument. [23], It was only when the founder of the Alaouite dynasty, Moulay Rashid, took Fez in 1666 that the city saw a revival and became the capital again, albeit briefly. Stock Photo ID: … The highest and lowest temperatures ever recorded in the city are 46.7 °C (116 °F) and −8.2 °C (17 °F), respectively. Although the population of the city grew, it did so only slowly up until the late 1960s, when the pace of growth finally accelerated. [23], The creation of the separate French Ville Nouvelle to the west had a wider impact on the entire city's development. [12]:35[13]:35[14]:83 These settlements (Madinat Fas and Al-'Aliya) would soon develop into two walled and largely autonomous sites, often in conflict with one another. The exact date and circumstances of its formation are not firmly established,[45][46] but many scholars date the transfer of the Jewish population from Fes el-Bali to the new Mellah to the 15th century, a period of political tension and instability. The events began with a strike called to demand an increase to minimum wage and other measures. The tanning industry, for example, still embodied by tanneries of Fes el-Bali today, was a major source of exports and economic sustenance since the city's early history. I was able to take plenty of pictures of the beautiful city as we explored its alleys. Fez suffered particularly from repeated conflicts with the Udayas (or Oudayas), a guich tribe (vassal tribe serving as a garrison and military force) previously installed in the Kasbah Cherarda by Moulay Isma'il. [135][13] The lavish former mansion of the Glaoui clan, known as the Dar Glaoui, is partly open to visitors but still privately owned. [117][118][119] The two other major tanneries are the Sidi Moussa Tannery to the west of the Zawiya of Moulay Idris II and the Ain Azliten Tannery in the neighbourhood of the same name on the northern edge of Fes el-Bali. [citation needed], The Tijani Sufi order, started by Ahmad al-Tijani (d. 1815), had its spiritual center in Fez after al-Tijani moved here from Algeria in 1789. Idris II of Morocco lived in Sefrou temporarily while overseeing the development of Fez. Until today, the medina of Fez is the largest car-free zone in the world. These two historic cities are linked together and are usually referred to together as the "medina" of Fez, though this term is sometimes applied more restrictively to Fes el-Bali only. [14]:376 The Ville Nouvelle became the locus of further development, with new peripheral neighbourhoods – with inconsistent housing quality – spreading outwards around it. Subsequently, it led to the construction of numerous forts, kasbahs, and towers for both garrison and defense. [31], A number of social and physical changes took place at this period and across the 20th century. [17]:51 With the influx of Arabic-speaking Andalusians and Tunisians, the majority of the population was Arab, but rural Berbers from the surrounding countryside settled there throughout this early period, mainly in Madinat Fas (the Andalusian quarter) and later in Fes Jdid during the Marinid period. Fez is in the northern inland region of Morocco, the capital of the Fas-Meknas administrative region. In 1990 the population of Fez broke into protest and rioting in turn, led by university students and youths. [12][42][127][128], Fez is also notable for having preserved a great many of its historic hammams (public bathhouses in the Muslim world), thanks in part to their continued usage by locals up to the present day. Many Moroccan nationalists received their education at the Al-Qarawiyyin University and some of their informal political networks were established thanks to this shared educational background. Fez or Fes is a city in northern inland Morocco and the capital of the Fès-Meknès administrative region. [112][113] Later, in modern times, the gates became more ceremonial rather than defensive structures, as reflected by the 1913 construction of the decorative Bab Bou Jeloud gate at the western entrance of Fes el-Bali by the French colonial administration. These were built in the late 16th century, mostly by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur. Further information: Fez, Morocco § History As the capital for his newly acquired empire, Idris ibn Abdallah chose to build a new town on the right bank of the Fez River in 789 CE. List of twin towns and sister cities in Morocco, "Medina of Fez – UNESCO World Heritage Centre", "Note de présentation des premiers résultats du Recensement Général de la Population et de l'Habitat 2014", "An architectural Investigation of Marinid and Watasid Fes", "La magnifique rénovation des 27 monuments de Fès – Conseil Régional du Tourisme (CRT) de Fès", Roudh el-Kartas: Histoire des souverains du Maghreb, http://www.al-hakawati.net/english/Cities/fez.asp, "3. Football teams, MAS Fez ( Fés Maghrebi ) and Wydad DE Fès ( WAF ) numerous historic mosques the... The Almoravid fortifications were later destroyed and then rebuilt by the Almohad overthrow the. It replaced Marrakech as the outline of Fes el-Jdid haven of peace the... Gardens are all a part of this population was composed mostly of Berbers, with! 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