Bab Segma, City gate in Medina of Fez, Morocco
Bab Segma is a monumental city gate in Fez featuring two octagonal towers built with traditional stone masonry that reflects Moroccan architectural principles. The structure connects different sections of the medina and displays refined stonework throughout its design.
The gate was built in 1286 during the Marinid dynasty as an entry point to royal gardens and served the city's defensive purposes. Water channels ran through its southern tower to support irrigation of the surrounding gardens.
The gate carries the name of a venerated woman buried nearby in the 1700s, linking the structure to local spiritual traditions that still resonate today. Walking through it, you notice how this personal connection has shaped its identity within the community.
The gate sits at a natural transition point between different sections of the medina and is easy to reach on foot. It serves as a helpful landmark when navigating this part of Fez.
Visible traces of an ancient aqueduct system remain on the structure, showing how water once flowed to the nearby Mosara Gardens. These rectangular openings reveal the sophisticated irrigation methods that existed in medieval times.
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