Dar al-Makina, Former military hall in Medina of Fez, Morocco
Dar al-Makina is a former military hall in Fez's Medina that contains vaulted chambers, an Italian-influenced gateway called Bab al-Makina, and interconnected rooms throughout its structure. The building showcases the tightly woven layout typical of such facilities in the old city.
Sultan Moulay Hassan founded this arms manufacturing facility in 1885 with Italian military assistance to strengthen Morocco's military capacity. The project represented efforts to modernize the kingdom's defenses during a time of foreign pressure.
The building blends Moroccan and European architectural styles in ways you can see in its rooms and passages. Its location near the Royal Palace places it among the most important structures in the Medina's historic fabric.
The site sits in a dense part of the Medina where narrow streets wind closely together, so it helps to use the nearby Royal Palace as an orientation point. Exploring the compact interior spaces does not require much walking time and pairs easily with visits to other sites in the historic quarter.
The building underwent major restoration work starting in 2018 and now displays the original craftsmanship used in its construction and operation. Old photographs from the 1920s reveal how bustling industrial production was here and offer glimpses into daily operations that few visitors know about.
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