Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, Prayer house and former university in Fes, Morocco
The al-Quaraouiyine Mosque is a large prayer house and former center of learning in Fes's old medina, featuring spacious courtyards, numerous columns, and extensive prayer halls. The building sits surrounded by residential houses that have been built tightly around it over centuries, making its full size difficult to perceive from the street.
The mosque was founded in 859 and stands as one of the oldest still-functioning mosques in the world. It expanded over centuries and became a major center of learning where renowned scholars such as Averroes and Ibn Khaldun taught or studied.
The mosque has shaped life in Fes for over a thousand years and remains central to the city's identity and rhythm. Visitors walking through the surrounding streets can observe how this space continues to connect people through prayer and learning, just as it has for centuries.
The mosque is visible from outside for visitors of all backgrounds, but entry inside is reserved for Muslims only. The main entrance is marked by the heritage gate Bab Boujloud, decorated with blue patterns and located at the edge of the old medina.
The mosque's library holds thousands of manuscripts and books, including rare works such as a copy of Plato's writings from the 10th century. This collection ranks among the most valuable religious and scholarly archives in the Islamic world and continues to be preserved in this location.
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