For an extended time, we now have dreamed of visiting Fez the cultural capital of Morocco, a city steeped in history. We join the small studio that we rented for every week, positioned a number of steps from the medina. What a surprise after I got there! Our host welcomes us in a luxurious palace, with partitions decorated with many mosaics and other arabesques. The place deserves a renovation but, in spite of everything, the marks of time make also its charm. We even realize that this palace, called El Mokri, is on the list of monuments to go to on TripAdvisor!
We cheerfully set off to explore the medina … which quickly puts our sense of direction to the test. The labyrinth seems specially designed to attract the visitor into its dead ends and even the GPS of our phones throw within the towel, unable to navigate. But the distress of some makes the happiness of others. The touts wait in strategic places and demand on showing us the fitting path!
That day, we’re a bit of upset by the medina of Fez and the quiet atmosphere of southern Morocco seems far-off. The crowd jostles us, ten-year-old kids offer kif (cannabis), heavily loaded donkeys are beaten to advance … We guess that town does have charms, but still drained from our night bus ride, we had to find them. We comeback as best we will, losing one another eight or ten times.
The next day, well rested and determined to offer the medina a second probability, we jump out from our beds at the primary rays of sun. At 7:30 am, the alleys are almost deserted and the touts are still snoozing. Until 10 a.m., the old town of Fez thus idles. With the shops closed, we notice the architectural details and traces of the past a lot better: here a finely chiseled door, there a mosaic fountain …
Moroccans are also warmer than the day before, like this woman who lends us cushions while we’re seating in front of the gate of her store; or that audio cassette seller,who insists on sharing his glass of mint tea. Regularly, we come across portraits of the king, well framed and highlighted,within the shops and within the alleys of the medina. As soon as a Moroccan sees us take a take a look at it, he hastens to inform us, “Did you see? This is Mohammed VI, our king. A superb king! “.
Why Fez is the cultural Capital of Morocco?
Fez is one among the good legendary cities of the Arab world similar to Istanbul, Baghdad or Jerusalem. That’s why Fez is the cultural capital of Morocco. This tangle of alleys was as renowned for its craftsmanship as for its mental and spiritual level.
The city is home to many Koranic schools called Medersas, a few of that are architectural masterpieces. And then, a mosque of twenty thousand places managed to make a spot in the center of the medina. This is the venerable Al Karaouiyne Mosque, which houses each the oldest university and the oldest library on the planet. It is in the midst of the medina that we walked past it several times without noticing it! Entry is prohibited to non-Muslims, but here’s a tip to watch it from above and judge its size: near one among the principal doors, a store of handmade blankets opens access to its terrace in exchange for ten dirhams per person. Ask local traders to inform you.
Near our palace , We visited one other which belonged to the Pasha of Marrakech and which bears his name: El Glaoui. It is feasible to ask to go to it by addressing the caretaker Abdou, grandson of the pasha’s former steward, or his wife, in exchange for a free donation. And it’s price it! Imagine a palace of greater than a thousand rooms, decorated by one of the best craftsmen with one of the best materials… How many nuggets like this are still hidden in Fez? The more we discover town, the more we now have the sensation that we only catch a glimpse of a tiny a part of its incredible heritage.
Three hundred meters from the attractive Bab Boujloud gate, is the Jnan Sbil garden. It is nice to rest on this green oasis after a tiring visit to the old town. After a number of days, we start to choose up our habits. We are very proud to search out our way around without getting lost! As the restaurants are quite expensive for the country, we cook our meals and favor local products: vegetables, semolina, Ras El-Hanout (a mix of spices for the tagine), mint, citrus fruits … While the craft sellers speak perfect French, it shouldn’t be all the time easy to converse with grocers, our accents are different!
As a farewell to Fez the cultural capital of Morocco, we go as much as El Qolla hill which houses the ruins of the Marinid tombs. Many Moroccans come to take a seat at dusk, to benefit from the superb panorama and forget the chaos of Fez. The silence doesn’t break until the last rays of the sun, when the decision to prayer goes forth and echoes throughout the valley.
Click here, To book your day trip to Fez to find this beautiful Moroccan Pearl.
Escape the ordinary and discover the extraordinary! From bustling cities to serene landscapes, every journey begins with a single step—let us guide yours. Enjoy curated itineraries, hidden gems, and hassle-free bookings designed for explorers at heart. Whether it's a weekend getaway or a globe-trotting adventure, your Next unforgettable experience is just a click away.
