Fodor's Essential Morocco by Fodor's Travel Guides

Author:Fodor's Travel Guides
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fodor's Travel
Published: 2018-02-13T05:00:00+00:00

Fontaine Nejjarine. This ceramic-tile, cedar-ceiling public fountain is one of the more beautiful and historic of its kind in Fez el-Bali. The first fountain down from Bab Boujeloud, Fontaine Nejjarine seems a miniature version of the Nejjarine fondouk, with its geometrically decorated tiles and intricately carved cedar eaves overhead. Pl. Nejjarine, Fez el Bali.

Glaoui Palace. Among the medina’s many hidden palaces, the extraordinary Dar al Glaoui is one of its most atmospheric. The Pasha of Marrakesh’s second home—he ruled over most of southern Morocco in his day—has fallen into disrepair since Morocco’s independence from France in 1956, when his power waned. But amid the crumbling ruins, evidence of its former grandeur is visible in the exquisite cedarwood doors, intricate stucco, tiled salons, and the carved wooden balconies that line its patios. The large estate was comprised of 17 buildings and two gardens, with ornate salons, an enormous kitchen, Koranic school, garages, stables, a harem, and a hammam. Abdou—an artist and one of the remaining family members—or his sister will show you some of its treasures. 1, rue Hamia Douh, Ziat, Fez el Bali 0667/36–68–28.

Kairaouine Mosque. This is considered one of the most important mosques in the Western Muslim world. One look through the main doorway will give you an idea of its immensity. With about 10,760 square feet, the Kairaouine was Morocco’s largest mosque until Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque came along in the early 1990s. Built in AD 857 by Fatima, the daughter of a wealthy Kairaouine refugee, the mosque became the home of the West’s first university and the world’s foremost center of learning at the beginning of the second millennium. Stand at the entrance door’s left side for a peek through the dozen horseshoe arches into the mihrab (marked by a hanging light). An east-facing alcove or niche used for leading prayer, the mihrab is rounded and covered with an arch designed to project sound back through the building. Lean in and look up to the brightly painted and intricately carved wood ceiling. If you get there just before prayer times, the two huge wooden doors by the entrance will be open, providing a privileged view of the vast interior. For a good view of the courtyard, head to the rooftop of the Attarine Medersa. Only Muslims may enter the mosque. Bou Touil, Fez el Bali 0535/64–10–16.

Musée Nejjarine des Arts et Métiers du Bois. The 14th-century Nejjarine fondouk, or Inn of the Carpenters, is now home to a fascinating museum. The three-story patio displays Morocco’s various native woods, 18th- and 19th-century woodworking tools, and a series of antique wooden doors and pieces of furniture. For 10 DH enjoy mint tea on the rooftop terrace with panoramic views over the medina. Don’t miss the former jail cell on the ground floor, or the large set of weighing scales, a reminder of the building’s original functions—commerce on the ground floor and lodging on the levels above. TIP → Check out the palatial, cedar-ceiling public bathrooms, certainly the finest of their kind in Fez.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.