![]() ![]() They established two separate walled towns on either side of the Fez River, and provided the craftsmanship and entrepreneurial skills for Fez’s commercial development. The development of Fez took off at the beginning of the 9 th century when Idriss II established it as his capital and allowed refugees from two far-flung corners of western Islam (Andalucian Cordoba in Spain and Kairouan in Tunisia) to settle there. It is the most ancient of the Moroccan imperial capitals and the most complete medieval city of the Arab world. ![]() Location and Values: The Medina of Fez is located in north-central Morocco, about 60 km east of Meknes. The Jemaa el-Fnaa square in Marrakech gets a lot of attention for its foodie scene (and rightfully so), but Fes has its own special offerings.Website Category: Fortified Cities of the MaghrebĬriteria: (ii) interchange of values (v) interaction with the environment After-dark activities carry out onto the winding streets and this is a nightlife centering around mint tea, hookah and Moroccan cuisine. There’s more than bath house rituals, however. RELATED READ: WHAT IT’S LIKE TO TRAVEL IN MOROCCO AS A SOLO FEMALE TRAVELER Fes is for foodies It was amazing to feel so welcomed in such a personal practice. This was one of the most powerful cultural experiences I had in Morocco. They use a khmiss (a coarse scrubbing glove which work wonders) and locally-sourced savon noir (black soap). The setting for the traditional practice of communal bathing, they boast several rooms varying in temperature.įull disclosure: although you definitely can wear a bathing suit during the cleansing experience, it’s more common to be in your birthday suit.ĭuring women’s only hours, I joined the female community who use the private space to shed their headscarves and exfoliate their skin. Traditional hammam bathhouses, scattered around the city, are one such place. The dense medina welcomes worlds within worlds with its discreet doors, steep stairways and narrow streets. TAKE IN THE SPLENDOR OF FES ON AN INTREPID SMALL GROUP TOUR Century old bathing rituals It’s the city’s largest tannery, and is where cow, sheep, goat and camel hides are brought to be preserved and dyed (then turned into jackets, handbags, wallets and more). One of the most vital experiences in the medina, and equally as pungent, is the 11th century Chouara Tannery. ![]() ![]() SUBSCRIBE TO INTREPID’S NEWSLETTER FOR TRAVEL TIPS, COMPETITIONS, GIVEAWAYS & MORE I easily spent hours reveling at the final products among the endless stalls. In the souk, intricate copper lanterns and piles of handwoven carpets are abundant. The fresh leather also comes in the form of pointy toe slippers, adorned with traditional embroidery. Locals artfully turn the leather into bags with jeweled and copper details. Mules and donkeys shuttle between the tanneries and the leather artisans in the souk, their backs piled high with dried and stretched animal hide. I loved watching them masterfully create patterns with a large wooden loom operated solely on manpower. In the living museum, you can glimpse weavers puppeteering cactus and silk threads. The charm of the old medina is found in the people who maintain the century-old rhythms of handicraft industries and methods of past generations. RELATED READ: PHOTOS OF WHAT IT’S LIKE TO HIKE THROUGH MOROCCO WITH A BERBER FAMILY The rhythm of artisans: Tanneries, coppersmiths & weavers Travelers in front of massive golden doorway ![]()
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