Fes el Bali, Medieval medina in Fez, Morocco
Fes el Bali is an old walled city within Fez featuring thousands of twisting passageways that link residential quarters, market stalls, craft workshops, and religious buildings. The entire layout remains densely built with traditional North African architecture characterized by inward-facing courtyards and narrow corridors.
The district was established in 789 and rapidly developed into a major center of learning, particularly after the founding of Al-Qarawiyyin University in the 9th century. It became the heart of the city, drawing scholars, craftspeople, and merchants from across the region.
The district functions as a living workshop where artisans openly practice their trades in small family shops scattered throughout the streets. Visitors can watch leather workers, metalworkers, and weavers going about their daily routines using methods passed down through generations.
The streets are narrow and unmarked, so hiring a local guide or following a group is wise if you want to navigate efficiently and learn context. You can also wander without a plan if you have time and enjoy discovering places by trial and error.
The Chouara Tannery still employs medieval leather-processing methods using natural dyes held in stone and lime vats, with the colorful dye baths visible from rooftop viewpoints. This remains one of the few places where such ancient craft processes continue virtually unchanged.
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