Bab Mahrouk, City gate in Medina of Fez, Morocco
Bab Mahrouk is a city gate forming the western entry to Fez's Medina, built with thick stone walls and featuring a distinctive arched opening. The structure accommodates modern traffic through additional openings while the original medieval portion remains visible and intact.
The gate was built in 1204 under the reign of Muhammad al-Nasir and served as a major control point for the city's western access. It played a strategic role in the medieval period, connected to important events that marked the city's development and governance.
The cemetery adjoining this gateway holds the mausoleum of Islamic scholar Abu Bakr ibn al-Arabi, a respected religious figure whose tomb draws visitors interested in Islamic learning and heritage. This burial site reflects how the gate connects to broader spiritual and intellectual traditions within the city.
This location is an active passage with regular vehicle traffic, so expect it to be busier during daytime hours. Visitors get the best experience walking through early in the morning or late afternoon when traffic flow is lighter and you can see the gate's architectural details more clearly.
The name originates from a 1203 incident when authorities burned the body of a rebel leader at this location, permanently marking the gate with this stark reminder. This dark chapter remains part of the local memory attached to the structure.
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