Fes — The Celestial Manuscript

Your journey begins at Bab Bou Jeloud, the iconic gate of Fès el-Bali. Built in 1276 under the Marinid dynasty, this 21-meter high structure, adorned with blue-green zellige tiles, was named after Vizier Bou Jeloud. It serves as the main southern entrance to the medina and was restored in the 20th century. Passing through its horseshoe arch, you enter a world where time seems suspended, starting your exploration of the heritage of Fes-Meknes, a region rich in history.

Not far from there, the Bou Inania Madrasa awaits you. Founded between 1350 and 1356 by the Marinid Sultan Abou Inan Faris, this historic monument could accommodate 100 students. Adorned with carved stucco, zellige, and sculpted cedar wood, its prayer hall reaches 8 meters in height. The ablution fountain, used until the 19th century, is engraved with Quranic verses, precious clues for your quest in the Fes Medina. This madrasa is an essential testament to Marinid architecture.

Continuing your path, you arrive at Nejjarine Square, the heart of the carpenters' souk since the 14th century. Here, the Nejjarine Fund, housed in a 17th-century building of 800 m², hosts a museum dedicated to wood arts. The monumental fountain (midan) from 1732, with its Arabic epigraphic inscriptions, is a convergence point for 8 alleys. It is a vibrant place for carved wood artisanal trade, where the history of Fes blends with daily life.

The Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, founded in 859 by Fatima al-Fihri, is considered the oldest university in the world. With an area of 2,300 m² and a capacity for 20,000 worshippers, it has 18 naves and 2 minarets. Its library, founded in 1350, housed a Quranic manuscript dated 895 in 2016. Inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2016 for its ancient manuscripts, the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque is a pillar of Fes's history and Islamic culture.

Your route then leads you to Souk al-Attarine, the spice and perfumers' souk active since the 12th century, about 200 meters long, lined with vaulted stalls. Near the Al-Attarine Madrasa, built between 1323 and 1325 by Abou Saïd Uthman II, this souk is one of the 10 specialized souks of Fes. The madrasa, with its 6.5 m x 6.5 m central patio and marble fountain, reveals a painted cedar wood ceiling depicting a stylized ocean. Every architectural detail of Fes-Meknes brings you closer to the truth of the celestial manuscript, offering you a deep understanding of this millennia-old city.