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Fez reached its peak during the 13th century under the Marinids. Furthermore, later, it served as the kingdom’s capital upon its return to Marrakesh.
Additionally, the urban fabric and the principal memorials in the medina – madrasas, palaces, homes, mosques, and rushes – date from this duration. Despite the transfer of the political capital to Rabat in 1912, Fez has maintained its status as a culture.
History
The Medina of Fez preserves, in an antique part, including myriad monumental constructions. Notably, the remembrance of the capital was established by the Idrisid dynasty between 789 and 808.
Additionally, the Fez wadi and the banks of the Andalous, as well as those of the Kaïrouanais, split the actual townlet into two big fortified quarters. In the 11th century, the Almoravids reunited the townlet with a sole rampart. Subsequently, beneath the dynasty of the Almohads during the 12th and 13th centuries, the actual townlet (Fez el-Bali) had already extended to its present-day scope. Moreover, the Merinids (13th to 15th centuries) established a unique townlet (Fez Jedid).
Location
The city’s historic medina coexists with the presently larger Ville Nouvelle, along with several contemporary areas, splitting the city. The old city also sits nestled in a valley, just outside its confluence with the larger Sebou River to the northeast.
The most prominent part of the city occupies a plateau on the border of the Sais table. Located around 15 km south of the ancient metropolis of Fez is the region’s main airport, Fes-Sais. The town of Sefrou lies further to the south. while is the city of Meknes. The subsequent largest city in the area is situated to the southwest.
Tour Fez Medina in Fes
Fez Medina is a must see when staying in Morocco. It’s the elder imperial city in the country, established around the year 807 by Moulay Idriss I. There’s so much to see and analyze in this dynamic city that it can be overwhelming. That’s why a trained tour makes ideal sense. A guided tour can help you make the most of your time in the city and locate some of its undercover treasures.
In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about taking a guided tour. We’ll look at the different kinds of tours available and the attractions that are usually included.
I’ll also provide top tips for making sure you get the most out of your tour.
What Sort of Voyages through Fez Medina Are Accessible
There are several kinds of guided tours open for Fez Medina, depending on what you’re examining for and how much time you have. Here are some of the numerous famous types of tours.
- Half-Day tour
- Full-Day Tours
Half-Day tour
A half-day tour is perfect for visitors who only have a fixed amount of time in public. This type of tour usually lasts almost four hours and will generally contain several sites in the city,
such as the Bab Bou Jeloud Gate, the Qarawiyyin Mosque and University, Medersa Bou Inania, and the Dar Batha Museum.
Full-Day Tours:
If you have time unrestricted, why not take a full-day outing? These tours generally last about seven hours and contain more locations than a half-day tour.
You can also expect to visit all of the sites included in the half-day tour, as well as others like Nejjarine Fountain, Seffarine Square, and Hammam Bab Doukkala.
Food Visits
If you like to delve into the delicious world of Moroccan cooking, you can also analyze the tastes and fragrances on a food tour. Furthermore, you’ll hit several hotspots along the way, such as regional bakeries and formal dinner spots, flavoured olive oil booths, and stalls full of fresh spices like mint and cilantro. Additionally, you will also have the opportunity to understand the traditions associated with Moroccan meals while analyzing their tastes.
Custom Visits
If you have your own typical conditions or special attractions, and if you’d simply like to customize your tour incident, some tour groups offer customized outings. This gives you more space to pick and choose which areas and sites you visit, as well as any actions or adventures you would like to possess.
Best Restaurant
The medina in Fez, Morocco, showed us some of the strangest yet tasty tastes ever encountered and surpassed our expectations.
Dar Roumana
Dar Roumana is a lovely standard dar discovered in the Fez medina. Upon our first visit in 2016, we were ridiculously impressed by the team and size of the unassuming property. Younes Idriss is the Head Chef at their in-house cafe, where he masterminds a collection of dishes in the area.
The inn labels the cuisine as a fusion of Franco-Moroccan, with an influence from the style of cooking found in a Parisian bistro paired with traditional Moroccan food. We recommend savoring delicious dishes that echo the harmony of probed octopus, roasted lamb tenderloin generously adorned with apricots and oregano, and seasonal salads, the majority of which originated from local sources.
Additionally, you can explore other popular options, such as roast pumpkin salad with tahini, braised local rabbit with mustard seed sauce, and more. It’s advisable to make a reservation to avoid any inconvenience, as this place is well-known for its Franco-Moroccan cuisine in a good dining backdrop.
What should be done in Fez Medina?
To support you with a visit to the city, I’ve put together this list of items to do in Fez. You can employ the map to see where they’re found but be alerted that the GPS can be fairly inconsistent in the maze of the old town.
Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Entryway)
One of the first items you power to see, depending on how you come in, is the Blue Gate. Officially, it’s called Bab Bou Jeloud, and it’s a famous gathering place. This western entry initially was quite a simple gate that was created in the 12th century – and you can see that on the left flank.
Al Attarine Madrasa
This madrasa (Islamic school) is one of the most attractive structures in the Fez. It was also created in the early 1300s and is next to the sauce and scent market. The highlight is the main yard that opens onto the prayer hall. The bright mosaic tiles and carved stucco make a complicated creation of art on the barriers.
Bou Inania Madrasa
The different madrasa that is worth seeing is Bou Inania Madrasa. Don’t acknowledge only because you’ve visited one; you don’t need to see the difference. They are each unique in their own practices. In the center of the 1300s, artisans crafted Bou Inania Madrasa, featuring a massive brass entry door. Inside, you’ll find bright geometric tilework and etched plaster, plus lattice screens made from cedar.
College of Al Quaraouiyine
According to both UNESCO and Guinness World Records, Al Quaraouiyine is the elder university on the planet. And it was having been established in 859. It is not as visually stunning as the madrasas. But it also still has a lovely structure with arched doors, a tiled base, and a bright painting.