Borj Nord, Military fortress with weapons museum in Fez, Morocco
Borj Nord is a fortress built on a hilltop north of Fez's medina, featuring thick stone walls and corner bastions arranged across multiple levels. From the top you can see the city and surrounding landscape spread out below.
Sultan Ahmed al-Mansur ordered the fortress built in 1582 using European prisoners captured from nearby conflict as construction workers. This project was part of broader military reinforcements undertaken in the region during that era.
The name refers to its northern position relative to the medina, marking it as a key defensive point in Fez's urban layout. You can observe how the fortress relates to the city's geography and the daily life that developed around it.
This fortress is not easily walkable from central Fez and requires transportation such as a taxi or vehicle to reach. Plan to spend time getting there and exploring the grounds, especially if you want to spend time on the upper levels for views.
Inside the fortress is a museum displaying 5000 weapons ranging from prehistoric times to the 20th century, documenting the region's military heritage. This collection reveals how weapons design and fighting methods changed across different eras and cultures.
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