Fez ([فاس Fās], in Arabic, Fès in French) is the third city of Morocco, After Casablanca and Rabat, with a population of 946,815 inhabitants According to the 2004 census (gentilicio: fasi or fasí).

City of Fez is the capital of the region of Fez-Boulmane. It is located in Province of Fez-Saïss, in the prefecture of Fez-Dar-Dibibe, in the region formerly called Hispania Nova. Their geographic coordinates are 34 ° 3’10 “N 4 ° 58’58” W.

It is one of the four cities called imperial near Marrakech, Meknes and Rabat. In Morocco it is considered as the religious and cultural center of the country. His university, famous for the study of Arabic and Muslim religion, makes it the point of passage for a large number of Moroccan students.

The city is divided into three zones, Fez el Bali, the old area, within the Walls, Fez-Jdid, the new area, where the Mellah, the neighborhood And the Ville Nouvelle (Villa Nueva), the French area in the north-west of the city. The medina of Fez el Bali, the largest of the two in the city, is the largest Pedestrian zone of the world, and was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNICCO in 1981. The city has the services of Saïss Airport.

Fez is one of the immemorial imperial cities, perhaps one of the most important symbols of Morocco. It has labyrinthine streets and Medina of Fez el-Bali (old Fez) is one of the largest sites the world, and the gates and walls that surround him enhance his magnificence.

HISTORY

Middle Ages

The city was founded by Idris I, founder of the dynasty of the idrisies in 789 on the western bank of the Fez River. Later, in 810, Idris II placed his Residence in Fez and made it the capital of his state. In 859, Yahya I ibn Muhammad built the mosque of “Kairouyine”, one of the oldest and Africa, and founded the University of Karueein, associated with this Mosque, whose main studies are religious. Arab emigration Received by the city from Córdoba, in al-Andalus, after a revolt In 818, and of Tunisia, after another rebellion in 824, gave the city its definitive Arab character compared to the native population. The two main neighborhoods of the city, Adwat al-Qarawiyyin and Adwat al-Andalus, received their names after the arrival of the Arab emigrants. After arrival at Power of Ali II ibn Umar, the Jariyi tribes of Madyuna, Gayatha and Miknasa, Created a common front against the Idrisis, who overcame and occupied their capital. Yahya III ibn Al-Qassim led his people out of the city and Proclaimed himself Ali’s successor.

The city was populated by Muslims from all over North Africa, from Near East and Jews, who had their own neighborhood or Mellah, and became the religious and cultural center of Morocco, where Muslims and Christians of throughout Europe, carried out and carried out their studies.

In 1233 a Catholic diocese was founded, although it is not known until Worked, consisted of three bishops until the year 1578. Fez was the center of the Kingdom Of Fez and is believed to have been the largest city in the world between 1170 and 1180.

A large number of Muslims and Jews emigrated to Fez after taking Granada by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492 and after the Edict of Granada, by the That the decision was made to expel the Jews from the Hispanic kingdoms under The government of the Catholic Monarchs.

Fez became capital of the Watasida kingdom in 1472. In 1522 the city suffered an earthquake that struck, but was rebuilt in the following years. In 1554 is conquered by the Saadites, although they fixed their capital in Marrakesh.

Modern age

At the end of the 17th century, Moulay Ismail, sultan of Morocco, of the dynasty Alawite, chose Meknes as a new capital and installed in Fez to the clan of the Udaia, Who had helped him gain power. After Moulay’s death in 1727, The Udaia rebelled, but was finally expelled from the city, and Fez It was once again the capital of the kingdom.

Until the 19th century, the city was the sole producer of “hats of Fez”, Until France and Turkey also began to produce this product. The leather tanneries were very important, being the main producer of branches. The city became one of the main centers Trade in the Maghreb.

Contemporary age

The city of Fez was the capital of Morocco during several periods of History of the African country, but definitively lost that condition with the French colonial occupation. In 1912, most of Morocco to be part of the French colonial empire, and the capital of the new colony was Rabat, which maintained its status after independence in 1956. That same year, The Jewish population of the city disappeared almost completely, partly by the Mutinies of the Arab population. During the period under French control, built the modern part of the city, known by the French name of Ville Nouvelle, which is the commercial center of the city.

TOURISM IN FEZ

The City of Fez is the Imperial City par excellence of the Moroccan empire, in She can breathe a medieval atmosphere unmatched in any other City of the world.

Fez is the third most important city in Morocco; in fact the city of Fez has become three times the capital of Morocco. Its wonderful City is considered the most religious, spiritual and cultural city in the Moroccan extension.

The city of Fez is a very traditional city, which has hardly changed with the passage of time, and precisely this is what allows Fez to be one of the most medieval and sensual cities in the world. In Fes we will not find plots or places reserved for tourism, and it is Precisely what makes Fez a city so traditional, just arriving It will surprise us to see how everyday life develops in This exotic city, the typical bustle of squares, as children play The streets, donkeys running through the streets of the city, monkeys and mules They let see through the alleys etc.

This city has an airport for interior trips, has arrivals from several cities of the country. If we are in Fez it is important to know that it has several places of visit Obliged that we have not stopped visiting, as its Old Medieval Medina (Fez The Bali), its new Medina (made the Jedid), the Karaouiyine Mosque, the Andalusian, the Royal Palace, the Andalusian Mosque, the Tombs Merinidas, the Medersa Bou Inania or the Mellah (the Jewish quarter).

WHAT TO SEE

The Medersa Bou Inania, Fez La Medersa Bou Inania is located on Talaa Kebira Street, in the city Of Fez. Medersa Bou Inania was built in the year 1350, it currently functions as Residential University, but every Friday becomes an authentic mosque.

Medersa Bou Inania has a fairly large minaret and a unique hydraulic clock in the world, whose operating system is still unknown. The entrance to this Medersa is one of the few religious places that are open to non-Muslims, with the exception of their mosque. The entrance so only costs about 10 DHs and is open every day of the week from 9:00 At 19:00 (except Fridays at the time of prayer, which closes its doors for a Short period of time).

It should be noted that what usually attracts your attention is its beautiful tower Green tiles, from which you can see a beautiful landscape of all Fez and The beautiful wood carvings that decorate the walls of the patio with shapes.

The Medina of Fez

The Medina of Fez, better known as Fez el Bali is located in the center of the sensual city of Fez. In the beautiful Medina of Fez we will develop in a totally Is full of complicated narrow streets, beautiful mosques and Where we will find hustle and bustle at any time of the day. In fact, the medina was built in the twelfth century and today still retains all its Charm, has even been declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

Walking in the Medina of Fez is like taking a big step back in time, in She will find big souks (markets) where we can buy large Variety of objects, copper plates, teapots, gold by weight, fruits, meats and a Endless spice. Walking around the Medina of Fez (Fez el Bali) is very complicated if you do not We know very well, since its narrow streets, mosques and other buildings are Usually seem a lot. Good advice if we are going to stroll through the Medina of Fez is to hire an official guide, which will not have problems for Find them, and it will be very cheap. It is also very advisable Take with us a good map of the Medina and if we are forced to Guided by this, we must take as a reference the gates of the walls. No one goes through Fez without seeing his Medieval Medina, and as we will take it for granted you will visit it if you pass by Fez we will give a short list of some Places of the Medina that we have not stopped visiting: Najjarine Square, this is the square of the wood craftsmen. In her we will find the famous Wood Museum and several places related with this handicraft.

The Medina of Fez is very large and surprising, it is impossible to give a list of All the places to visit in it, therefore we prefer to let others Sites of the medina discover them for yourself.

Made the Jedid or Made the New

Made the new or “Fez el Jedid” is located in the center of the city of Fe in Morocco.

The part known as Fez el Jedid is nothing more than an enlargement made The Merinidas, who took the power of this city in Century XIII, to and It seemed to them that Fez Bali was too small to contain the palaces Which in fact deserved, and for this they built Fez el Jedid on the outskirts Of the city walls, gave rise to beautiful gardens, new Mosques, souks etc.

Fez el Jedid may not be as interesting as Fez Bali, but if It deserves a good visit, since in it we will find places of interest Such as El Mellah, a Jewish quarter or Dar el-Makhzen, the royal palace with its Doors full of luxury.

The Karaouiyine Mosque

The Karaouiyine Mosque is located in the center of the Medina of the city Imperial city of Fez (Fez Bali), in the old neighborhood of the Kairouani. This beautiful Mosque was built in the year 857, but was remodeled in 2007 and is currently one of the largest and most prestigious Morocco as well as the entire Muslim West. In addition, it is also recognized as one of the oldest educational centers in the world, with its library, which is one of the largest in Morocco.

Already since its construction, the Karaouiyine mosque became the court of the city. Merchants are now concentrated all around them, Traders meet and are ordered by their specialties, each of them they only sell one type product, the products sold are: slippers, Henna, candles and lots of spices.

The Tombs Merinidas, Fez

The Merida Tombs are located north of Fez el Bali, outside the Walls of the Medina, in the Imperial city of Fez, Morocco.

The Merida Tombs are a must see if you are passing through Fez, from them we will be able to observe without doubt some of the best Views of the city of Fez.

The Mosque of the Andalusians

The Andalusian Mosque is located in El Barrio de los Andaluces, Very close to the old part of the city of Fez, “Fez el Bali”, in Morocco. The Mosque of the Andalusians was built between 859 and 860, Characterized by its beautiful green and white minaret and its beautiful courtyards Paved in marble and

This mosque is one of the most outstanding places of the Andalusians, around it is usually concentrated many faithful of the area, and are mostly descendants of Muslim families who were expelled from Andalusia by the Christian army. Yes we listen in silence it is easy to listen as they escape through their Windows the precious voices of the children intoning psalms.

The Mellah, Fez el Jedid

The Mellah is the Jewish quarter which is located in Fez el Jedid, where we will find great activity; in their streets the goldsmiths have established their Stores bringing life to this place. In addition, very close to the Mellah We will find the Petit Méchouar, another must-see if we are passing through Fez. Dar-Batha Museum the Dar-Batha Museum is located near the beautiful medersa Bou Inania, inside it the city of Fez, in Morocco.

In the Dar-Batha Museum we will find a large collection of ceramics that Presume to be one of the most beautiful in Morocco. If we are in Fez, and After paying a visit to all the aforementioned places of obligatory visit We do not know very well what to do, it may be a good idea to go through The Dar-Batha Museum to admire some of the magnificent living pieces Collection, which generally used as background color to decorate the “blue Of Fez “intermingling geometric or stylized motifs of infinites Variations.