Museum of Arms of Borj Nord, Military museum in northern fortress of Fez, Morocco
The Museum of Arms of Borj Nord occupies a fortress from the 16th century and displays weapons from dozens of countries across multiple exhibition spaces. The collection is organized throughout the upper sections of the structure and provides an overview of different weapon types and their evolution.
The fortress was built in the late 16th century to protect the city and strengthen military control. The structure held important strategic value in defending Fez.
The collection displays weapons from Moroccan dynasties and Islamic regions, showing how different societies developed their own military technologies over centuries. Visitors can see how craftsmanship and design varied across these traditions.
The location sits on a hill north of the medina and is reachable by foot or transport, offering wide views over the city. It is worth planning time for stairs and pathways, as the collection spans multiple levels.
A massive cannon from a 16th-century conflict serves as the centerpiece of the collection and immediately draws attention. Visitors are often surprised by how large and heavy this single artillery piece is.
Location: Fez
Official opening: 1963
GPS coordinates: 34.06724,-4.98502
Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:07
Fes preserves centuries of Moroccan history through its streets, mosques, and workshops. The medieval old town brings together religious schools such as Medersa Bou Inania and Al-Attarine Madrasa, where students studied theology and law since the 14th century. The blue gate of Bab Bou Jeloud marks the entrance to the medina, where Rue Talaa Kebira leads through old Fes. The Kairaouine Mosque has stood at the center of the city since the 9th century and houses one of the oldest universities in the world. Museums like Dar Batha display traditional ceramics and woodwork, while the Nejjarine Museum focuses on historic wooden crafts. The city also documents military history through Borj Nord and Borj Sud, two 16th-century fortresses that once guarded the medina. The Marinid Tombs sit on a hill above the city and offer views across the rooftops of Fes. In the Jewish quarter of Mellah, synagogues like Ibn Danan recall the centuries-long presence of the Jewish community. Palaces such as Dar el Makhzen with its golden gates and traditional tanneries like Chouara show how crafts shaped the city's economy. The Jnan Sbil garden provides a quiet contrast to the dense buildings of the old town.
Fes el Bali
2.8 km
Zawiya of Moulay Idris II
986 m
Medina of Fez
955 m
Bou Inania Madrasa
598 m
Bab Bou Jeloud
624 m
Dar al-Magana
611 m
Funduq al-Najjariyyin
885 m
Marinid Tombs
592 m
Borj Nord
11 m
Sidi Ahmed al-Tijani Zawiya
319 m
Dar Batha
771 m
Chrabliyine Mosque
716 m
Bab Mahrouk
519 m
Kasbah An-Nouar
531 m
Tala'a Kebira
560 m
Mnebhi Palace
730 m
Bab Guissa
873 m
Abu al-Hassan Mosque
636 m
Riad Ba Mohamed Chergui
623 m
Bou Jeloud Mosque
689 m
Kasbah of Cherarda
789 m
Dar Adiyel
978 m
Ain al-Kheil Mosque
817 m
Funduq Sagha
973 m
Bab Chorfa
561 m
Musée Batha
785 m
Bab Guissa Mosque
858 m
Dar Pacha Tazi
869 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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