03Cities and regions
The old medina
Fez
Fez is one of Morocco's largest cities, with about 1.26 million people, set north-west of the Atlas among hills cut by the Fez River. Its oldest quarter, Fes el Bali, was founded between 789 and 808 as the Idrisid capital, and the city reached its peak under the Marinids between the 13th and 15th centuries, when many of the madrasas and mosques still standing were built. The old city has been a World Heritage Site since 1981 and is a large urban area without cars, about 300 hectares of narrow lanes. Most visitors enter through Bab Bou Jeloud with its blue façade and walk down Tala'a Kebira, the main market street, towards al-Qarawiyyin. On the way stands the Bou Inania Madrasa, with its water clock across the street, and near the river the Chouara tannery still dyes hides in round stone vats the way it did centuries ago. Hire a guide or keep a map for the first day, since the lanes look alike, and give the city two days.
- About 1.26 million
- City population
- Since 1981
- World Heritage Site
- About 300 ha
- Car-free medina