Fez
Inside its thousand-year-old medina, Fez is home to numerous mosques, fountains, gardens, madrasas, tanneries, and small shops. Surrounded and protected by a rampart, the centre of the medina is the world's largest car-free urban area. It is a maze of dark and narrow alleys with derelict houses, stores of all types, and a population of around 156,000 people for an area of only 3 km2.
Among the chaos, some splendid madrasas (Koranic school), a royal palace, and other architectural wonders. One could spend days there and not discover all its secrets.
The Bordjs
In addition to the rampart, Fez medina was also protected by eleven fortresses called bordj or borj. Bordj Nord was founded by Sultan El Mansour Eddahbi in 1582.
In its recent history, the fort has also been used as military barracks, a prison, and a museum. In 1963, it was restored and converted to a Museum of Armaments.
Medina Fes el-Bali
The medina called Fes el-Bali was founded between AD 789 and AD 808. Several of its ancient medieval structures are still visible nowadays.
The maze of alleys is impressive; the medina has about 10,000 streets with many being no wider than one metre. There are no cars and very few motorbikes since there are quite a high number of staircases all around.
Chouwara Tanneries
The tanneries of Chouwara, also known as Chow Ara or Bilda, are one of the most impressive sights of Fez. The natural process to transform and colour leathers has changed little since medieval times.
The mosaic of colours and the odours emanating from the place are incredible.
El-Attarine Madrasa
A madrasa is a Koranic school where the theology of the Islamic faith is taught.
El-Attarine was founded by Abu Said in 1325.
Bou Inania Madrasa
This madrasa was founded by Sultan Bou Inan between 1351 and 1357.
It is the only madrasa in Morocco to also have a fully functional mosque.
