Founded in the 9th century and home to the oldest university in the world,
Fez reached its height in the 13th–14th centuries under the Marinids, when it
replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. The urban fabric and the
principal monuments in the medina –- madrasas, fondouks, palaces,
residences, mosques and fountains -- date from this period. Although the
political capital of Morocco was transferred to Rabat in 1912, Fez has retained
its status as the country's cultural and spiritual centre.
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The Medina of Fez, the historic city center of Old Fez in Morocco, is closed to cars.
The only means of transportation inside the Medina is by foot, by bike, or by
mule.
Medina is the Arabic word for town, but is now used in Morocco to refer to the original part of any Moroccan town that developed before the country became a French protectorate in 1912. The Medina of Fez is also known in Arabic as Fez el Bali (Old Fez).
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Today as Medina remains a warren of narrow streets, the old buildings remain unchanged except for buttressing added for structural support. It comprises 187 quarters, each of which must by law contain a mosque, Qur'anic school (madrasa), bakery, fountain, and hammam (Turkish bath). The best-known monuments in the Medina are the Zaouia (religious cult center) of Moulay Idriss (9th century, rebuilt 13th century), which contains the tomb of the founder of the city; the Karaouyine Mosque (founded in 859, enlarged until the 13th century); the Bou Inania Medersa, a lodging house for students built in 1355; and the Andalous Mosque (founded in 860, enlarged 1200).
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- Morocco 1976. Medersa Bou Inania, Fez.
- French Morocco 1951. Karaouine Mosque in Fez.
- French Morocco 1917. Andalous Mosque in Fez.
The Medina is home to many artisans: Carpets and textiles, ceramics, metalwork, mosaics, and leather goods are crafted for sale to tourists and for export. There is a covered market and many small shops selling foodstuffs and clothing.
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From its earliest days, Fez, one of the imperial cities of Morocco (the others being Marrakech and Meknes), has prospered as a trading and religious center. Each of the families that ruled Morocco, often making Fez their capital, further embellished the Medina. Mosques, houses, shops, flour mills, public baths, and fondouks (Arabic, two-story lodging houses for visiting merchants) were built in such profusion that by the late 13th century no more space remained within the city walls and a garrison town, Fez Jdid (New Fez), was developed. The city was further expanded during the French protectorate (1912-1956).
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There are dozens of stamps describing Fez and Fassi crafts; on this page are
only shown a very small portion. For the period 1912-1956 (French Protectorate)
all stamps are listed in Scott under "French Morocco". As per 1956
(Kingdom) they are listed under "Morocco".
Sources and links:
- Microsoft Encarta 2002.
- Jean Hureau: Le Maroc Aujourd'hui, Ed. Jeune Afrique, France 1969. No ISBN indicated.
- Henriette Camps-Fabrer: Les Bijoux de Grande Kabylie, 1970. See image above. No ISBN indicated.
- Fez (Ministry of Communication)
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