Fes

Fes is the second largest city in Morocco and often served as its capital. Finding your way around the old city can be difficult!

Most hotels in the older parts of Moroccan cities are riads.

They are refurbished houses of large rich families built around an open air courtyard.

There are many historic building to stumble upon in Fes. One is the Al-Attarine Madrasa.

The Madrasa was built in the 14th century by the Marinid sultanate.

Fes was founded in 789 by Idris I, founder of an eponymous dynasty.

His son moved the capital here from Volubilis, the largest Roman city in Morocco.

Most inhabitants of Fes were Berbers or from Kairouan until refugees from al-Andalus started arriving in the 9th century.

The Zawiya of Moulay Idris II is a shrine that contains his remains.

The University of al-Qarawiyyin was founded in the 9th century and is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning still operating in the world.

The tombs of the Marinid rulers from the 13th-15th centuries overlook the city.

Fes has a sizable Jewish population, and when not a Moroccan power center was fought over by Muslim Spain and Tunisia.

The King of Morocco has a large palace (behind the park and city walls in the western portion of the city.

The Borj Nord fort was built by the Saadi dynasty in the 16th century, inspired by Portuguese designs.

A cannon used in the Battle of Three Kings in the 16th century

Fes came under French colonial rule in the 1900s.

The Bou Inania Madrasa was built in the 14th century

It is considered an important example of Marinid architecture

It is near the old clock tower and a gate to the city.

Cafe Clock is a great place for a camel burger and mint lemonade.

Even the cats hide in the shade.

Our riad had great food, like this traditional berber dish.

Dessert!

Don't get lost! It's easy to lose your way in the winding streets of Fes' old town.