Fes el-Bali — Marinid Secret Legacy

Your journey into the imperial medina of Fes begins at Bab Guissa, an Almohad gate erected in 1204. This structure, nearly 10 meters high and restored in 1963, was a historic entry point to the Jewish cemeteries and the Andalusian quarter. The Marinids, who fortified Fes el-Bali in the 14th century, also left their mark on these ramparts. By exploring this site, you grasp the strategic importance of Fes-Meknes and the evolution of its defenses over the centuries, a key element of Fes's history.

Continue to the Medersa Sahrij, founded in 1323 by the Marinid sultan Abou al-Hassan. This former Quranic school, which hosted about 100 students, is famous for its large 500 m² cistern (sahrij) used for irrigation. Its Marinid architecture, characterized by zellige and sculpted stucco, was restored in 1990. This historic monument of Fes-Meknes immerses you in the heart of medieval Islamic education and the hydraulic ingenuity of the era, a crucial aspect of Fes's heritage.

Seffarine Square, dating from the 13th century, awaits you next. This was the nerve center of the copper founders' (seffar) guild, a flourishing medieval craft under the Marinids. The square houses an Almohad fountain from 1199, measuring 5x3 meters, and continues to be a place of traditional markets. By observing the artisans at work, you understand the central role of craftsmanship in the economy and culture of Fes el-Bali, one of the pillars of a Fes visit.

Your quest then leads you to Al-Qarawiyyin University, founded in 859 by Fatima al-Fihri and recognized as the world's oldest university by Guinness in 1963. The Marinids expanded it in the 14th century. Its library houses ancient manuscripts, including a 9th-century Quran. This UNESCO site since 1981, capable of accommodating 24,000 students, is a testament to the knowledge and erudition that radiated from Fes for centuries. Don't miss the Mosque of the Andalusians, erected the same year by Muslim refugees, rebuilt in 1126 and measuring 50x30 meters with a 20-meter minaret. It was a spiritual center of the Andalusian quarter, essential for understanding the Fes-Meknes thematic circuit.

Your exploration of Fes-Meknes heritage concludes by passing through Borj Sud, a fort built in 1583 by Saadian Ahmed al-Mansour to defend Fes, used as an arsenal until the 20th century. Its 40-meter diameter bastioned structure offers breathtaking views of Jnan Sbil and the medina. After passing through Bab Dekkaken, an Almohad gate from the 12th century, you reach Jnan Sbil, a public garden created in 1860 by the Alaouite sultan Moulay Hassan I. This 3-hectare haven, restored in 2007, is home to over 600 plant species. This journey will have allowed you to grasp the history of Fes, from its founders to successive dynasties, and to understand why this city remains a jewel of Morocco, a true Fes treasure hunt through time.