In the northern part of Morocco, within a fertile valley set on the edge of the Rif mountains, 350 meters above sea level, lies the Imperial City of Fez, a true stronghold of the country's culture and identity. As you enter fez (or fes) you feel as if you have taken a plunge into the past and breathe in a medieval air your senses will lose themselves amidst marvelous landscapes, distinctive sounds,rich scents and lots of colors.

Fez is divided into two Cities the new city of Fes el-jedid , i.e. the imperial city that was Built from 1200, where you will find the stations, and the royal palace and the Jewish Quarter Mellah and the old city called FES EL-BALI,the oldest part of Fez, a real labyrinth of narrow streets, more than 900 thousand, with small markets and stores of all kinds of handicrafts to which the city is well known throughout Morocco,from carpets to brass objects,fabric,ceramics,leather,and wrought iron where goods are still processed transported by donkey and mule.

The city founded as the capital of the dynasty (of the Idrisids) between 789 and 808, is home to the oldest university in the world.And it reached its peak between 1200 and 1300 when it undermined the city of Marrakesh from its role as capital of the Moroccan empire at that time.

What to see in Fez?

MEDINA OF FEZ

Founded in the seventh century, the Medina of Fez, composed of two separate cities, Fes el bali and Fes el jedid ,is among the largest and best-preserved medieval fortifications in the world. So much so that it has been declared a world heritage site,the old city has become the main attraction for tourists visiting the oldest of Morocco's imperial cities. a penalty you will pass through the city's main gate (Blue Gate) bab boujloud dating from 1913, you will find yourself among a maze of winding alleys that lead to the city center full of Islamic schools, such as Madrasa Bou Inania,souqs,residences, squares with fountains and mosques including the imposing Kairaouine Mosque The city is an architectural jewel, an open-air museum, and combines Hispanic-flavored buildings with typical Moroccan ones and those of the Arab quarter,La medina de Fez also home to the oldest university in the world,fes reached its zenith at the turn of the seventh and eighth centuries under the Merinid dynasty when it took capital status away from Marrakech. Fez today ends now and as always the cultural and spiritual heart of Morocco but lost political primacy to rabat in 1912.

THE TANNERIES OF FEZ

The Tanneries of Fez or Chouara known by its strong odor de leather being prepared and composed of huge stone and clay vats filled with pigment and the skins stretched out to le mure to dry one after the other,The Medieval Tanneries de Fez district is a must-see if you are visiting Morocco and the city de fes . Here the old processes used in the eighth century to treat leather , when Fez had established itself at that time as a master in manufacturing and treating cow, horse, sheep and goat skins, are still employed today. The tanneries are accessible to tourists with a minimal admission fee. But you can admire the extraordinary spectacle of the cisterns. From the terraced roofs of the many leather stores in the Fez Medina where the frantic workers, with their bare legs colored by multicolored pigments, such as turmeric yellow, indigo blue, and mint green, clean the skins, soften them , color them, and later at this stage extend them on the walls to dry.The best time to visit the tanneries is during the morning in when there is more activity.

AL-KAROUINE MOSQUE AND UNIVERSITY

The ancient MOSQUE AL-KARAOUINE, incorporated into the ancient al-karaouine university, is one of the oldest in the Muslim ocidental world having been built in the heart of the Medina of Fez in 859. Until the construction of the mosque of hassan ii in 1986 in casablanca, the Karaouine mosque was the largest in Morocco.Richly decorated, the KAIRAOUINE mosque is the result of centuries of work ordered by each sultan during his period of rule during the time of the four dynasties that ruled Morocco.

MADRASA BOU INANIA

If you are visiting Fez, you cannot miss Madrasa Bou Inania, one of the few Islamic religious buildings open to non-Muslims.The recently renovated complex includes a student residence, a mosque and an Islamic school. Built in the second half of the 1300s, the complex is considered among the most beautiful in Morocco due to its rich decoration that includes inlaid cedar wood interiors, zellige tiles, and a marble entrance courtyard. This monument, which has a sister building to the city de Meknes, is an important example of Merinid Architecture and was finished by ABU I NANE, the last sultan of the Merinid dynasty . The complex consists of large courtyard surrounded by porticoes whose walls are decorated with floral and geometric motifs and carved stucco. Bou Inania is the only madrasa in Fez to have a minaret.

BAB BOUJLOUD

Considered the most beautiful gateway in the Medina of Fez, bab boujloud is a majestic monumental entrance decorated with glazed ceramic tiles, blue on the outer facade and green on the inner facade, according to the style,MORESCO-ANDALUSO .The gateway also has a form de 3 arches in a horseshoe design through which two minarets can be seen. This entrance is relatively recent compared to the surrounding area and in fact was built only in 1913 by General Hubert lyautey Well 1000 years after constructions of the old city de fes , and replaced the original 8th century construction still visible next to it. Bab boujloud is an EXCELLENT STARTING POINT for explorations of fes el-Bali: where the two grade streets near the gate , talaa sghira and talaa kebira that form arteries of the old city is in fact, a place full of stalls, restaurant small markets, and handicraft stores de leather ,textiles ,copper ceramics and carpets ,and cafes where locals meet to exchange goods and talk about their daily life .and an ideal place to spend a rich day to know de more de the culture of this magnificent city.

MELLAH, THE JEWISH QUARTER

In the heart of the medina of Fes el jedid ,near the royal palace,lies the ancient and traditional EBRAIC QUARTER THE MELLAH.which originated in 1418 thanks to the Merinidi dynasty and for centuries was the residence of the EBRAIC COMMUNITY.Along the streets of the Jewish quarter,which enjoyed the favor of the sultan,there used to be stores and a Jewish community of many artisans embroidering fine cloth and jewelry . today normal small stores selling of various things.Within the walls that enclose the Jewish quarter is the EBRAIC CEMETERY one of its most important features of the MELLAH ,there is also the Jewish synagogue built by the Merinid sultans for them , active ends now , for a large Jewish community residing in the city.