Mellah of Fez, Historic Jewish quarter in Fes el-Jdid, Morocco
The Mellah is a residential quarter in Fès el-Jdid characterized by multi-story homes with balconies, numerous windows, and narrow stone-paved alleyways running between the buildings. Several former synagogues are integrated into this densely built area, marking the spiritual centers of the community that once lived here.
During the 15th century, Marinid rulers established this separate neighborhood near their palace, creating Morocco's first officially designated Jewish residential area. This administrative decision shaped the spatial and social structure of the city for centuries afterward.
The quarter displays distinctive architecture with windows and balconies facing outward to the street, reflecting building traditions of the Jewish community. These homes differ visibly from Muslim neighborhoods through their open design and offer insight into how this community once lived closely together.
The quarter is accessible through multiple entrance gates, with the main street Derb al-Souq providing clear division between upper and lower sections and serving as an orientation point. Walking is essential to explore this area, and visitors should allow time to wander, as the many side passages can be disorienting.
The Jewish cemetery at the southwestern edge holds white stone graves organized in sections, with burials reaching back to the early 19th century. This burial ground reveals how long the Jewish presence endured in this area and offers clues about burial customs and family ties of that era.
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