Fès : handicraft capital
The medersas
The imperial city is the capital of traditional Moroccan culture. Cradle of knowledge, for which its superb medersas are a flamboyant symbol.
Schools
City gate, Fès
A medersa is a school where the Koran is taught along with all the classic subject of learning: mathematics, grammar, history, astronomy, medicine… In Morocco, and especially in Fès, medersas have the important role of integrating students from other regions. Generally they are built around a central courtyard with a fountain. Classes are held under the sumptuous arcades bordering it.
The oldest university
The Karaouiyine mosque is one of the most imposing in Morocco. It houses a university which is thought to be the oldest in the world and which was founded in the middle of the 9th century at a time when theology, grammar and Koranic law were the basic subjects taught. The El-Attarine medersa, situated opposite it, is considered to be the most beautiful in the medina.
El-Attarine
Merinids
The Merenids built this masterpiece between 1323 and 1325. Its central courtyard is magnificently decorated. Its walls are covered with sura engraved in wood or plaster. The fountain and marble columns are embellished with zellige (tiled mosaic).
Bou Inania
This medersa, built between 1350 and 1357, is the biggest in Fès . Pass through the magnificent entrance with its heavy copper work doors, and then be impressed by the abundance of earthenware, the refinement of the sculptured wood and plaster and the chiselled stalactites called mukarnas, the hallmark of Merenid architecture. A canopy of typical Fès green tiles surmounts the onyx and marble courtyard.
Handicraft and cooking
These two activities are in the pure Fès tradition. Pleasures for the eye and the palate waiting for you to discover.
Wood sculpture
You should visit the Dar Batha Museum before exploring the Fès El Bali souks. It is specialised in the arts and crafts of Fès and so will give you a good overview of all the handicraft made in a town renowned for the skill of its different guilds. The potters and ceramists are probably the most outstanding. The cobalt blue tin glazing has become the standard for the craftsmen of the town. You must visit the Wooden Arts and Crafts Museum, situated in one of the most beautiful buildings in Fès, the En-Nejjarine foundouk. Collections of different objects are exhibited in the old cells of this caravanserai. Moucharaby and wooden furniture can easily be purchased in the neighbourhood. You can find chiselled copperware articles near Es-Seffarine Place.
Moroccan cooking
Fès cooking is derived from 13th century Arabo-Andalusian cooking. Its particularity is the association of sweet and salty by the use of fruit as vegetables. Spices, such as caraway, coriander, pepper, paprika, cinnamon are also used skilfully. You will find these ingredients in the pastilla, a local dish: a light flaky pastry filled with minced pigeon mixed with almonds and sugar. Don't miss the delicious bread just out of the public oven.
Secret Fès
Fès, handicraft capital, can be proud of possessing a genuine artistic know-how for ceramic, woodworking and copperware crafts.
Fès tanners
The old part of Fès with its numerous souks is a paradise for craftsmen whose timelessness will charm you. You must stroll through its alleys in order to truly appreciate the architectural marvels found there. Adobe and brick walls, pillars decorated with zelliges (mosaic tiling) and climbing patios are among the gems of the medina's refined architecture.
Fès blue
The famous cobalt blue is the signature of Fès pottery. Some of the most beautiful Moroccan ceramics come from this imperial city. You can admire superb collections in the Dar Batha Museum, situated near the Bou Inania medersa. After being baked for 24 hours and then slowly cooled, the pottery is covered with white tin-glaze. These ceramics are decorative rather than utilitarian. The craftsmen mix several ingredients in proportions kept secret to obtain this unique blue. Some green and yellow can be added to the predominant blue.
Wood
Cedar, rosewood, argan, pine, oak… Morocco has many types of wood used in marquetry and cabinetmaking. You will be will able to appreciate these skills by visiting the Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts which is housed in the beautiful Nejjarine foundouk. The craftsmen in this neighbourhood make furniture inspired by the palaces. The twill of the moucharaby is, for example, found on tables and armchairs. Sculptured elements, particularly doors and windows, are appreciated.
Silk drying
Fès has adapted to modern life without losing its traditions. Its habitants have almost the same way of life as they had in the 13th century. Its cooking has such a fine reputation that several hotels and companies now organize courses of Fès cooking. During these participants visit markets, buy food and put what they have learnt in to practice. You can, also, enrol in pottery, calligraphy, Arabo-Andalusian music courses.
The imperial city is the capital of traditional Moroccan culture. Cradle of knowledge, for which its superb medersas are a flamboyant symbol.
Schools
City gate, Fès
A medersa is a school where the Koran is taught along with all the classic subject of learning: mathematics, grammar, history, astronomy, medicine… In Morocco, and especially in Fès, medersas have the important role of integrating students from other regions. Generally they are built around a central courtyard with a fountain. Classes are held under the sumptuous arcades bordering it.
The oldest university
The Karaouiyine mosque is one of the most imposing in Morocco. It houses a university which is thought to be the oldest in the world and which was founded in the middle of the 9th century at a time when theology, grammar and Koranic law were the basic subjects taught. The El-Attarine medersa, situated opposite it, is considered to be the most beautiful in the medina.
El-Attarine
Merinids
The Merenids built this masterpiece between 1323 and 1325. Its central courtyard is magnificently decorated. Its walls are covered with sura engraved in wood or plaster. The fountain and marble columns are embellished with zellige (tiled mosaic).
Bou Inania
This medersa, built between 1350 and 1357, is the biggest in Fès . Pass through the magnificent entrance with its heavy copper work doors, and then be impressed by the abundance of earthenware, the refinement of the sculptured wood and plaster and the chiselled stalactites called mukarnas, the hallmark of Merenid architecture. A canopy of typical Fès green tiles surmounts the onyx and marble courtyard.
Handicraft and cooking
These two activities are in the pure Fès tradition. Pleasures for the eye and the palate waiting for you to discover.
Wood sculpture
You should visit the Dar Batha Museum before exploring the Fès El Bali souks. It is specialised in the arts and crafts of Fès and so will give you a good overview of all the handicraft made in a town renowned for the skill of its different guilds. The potters and ceramists are probably the most outstanding. The cobalt blue tin glazing has become the standard for the craftsmen of the town. You must visit the Wooden Arts and Crafts Museum, situated in one of the most beautiful buildings in Fès, the En-Nejjarine foundouk. Collections of different objects are exhibited in the old cells of this caravanserai. Moucharaby and wooden furniture can easily be purchased in the neighbourhood. You can find chiselled copperware articles near Es-Seffarine Place.
Moroccan cooking
Fès cooking is derived from 13th century Arabo-Andalusian cooking. Its particularity is the association of sweet and salty by the use of fruit as vegetables. Spices, such as caraway, coriander, pepper, paprika, cinnamon are also used skilfully. You will find these ingredients in the pastilla, a local dish: a light flaky pastry filled with minced pigeon mixed with almonds and sugar. Don't miss the delicious bread just out of the public oven.
Secret Fès
Fès, handicraft capital, can be proud of possessing a genuine artistic know-how for ceramic, woodworking and copperware crafts.
Fès tanners
The old part of Fès with its numerous souks is a paradise for craftsmen whose timelessness will charm you. You must stroll through its alleys in order to truly appreciate the architectural marvels found there. Adobe and brick walls, pillars decorated with zelliges (mosaic tiling) and climbing patios are among the gems of the medina's refined architecture.
Fès blue
The famous cobalt blue is the signature of Fès pottery. Some of the most beautiful Moroccan ceramics come from this imperial city. You can admire superb collections in the Dar Batha Museum, situated near the Bou Inania medersa. After being baked for 24 hours and then slowly cooled, the pottery is covered with white tin-glaze. These ceramics are decorative rather than utilitarian. The craftsmen mix several ingredients in proportions kept secret to obtain this unique blue. Some green and yellow can be added to the predominant blue.
Wood
Cedar, rosewood, argan, pine, oak… Morocco has many types of wood used in marquetry and cabinetmaking. You will be will able to appreciate these skills by visiting the Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts which is housed in the beautiful Nejjarine foundouk. The craftsmen in this neighbourhood make furniture inspired by the palaces. The twill of the moucharaby is, for example, found on tables and armchairs. Sculptured elements, particularly doors and windows, are appreciated.
Silk drying
Fès has adapted to modern life without losing its traditions. Its habitants have almost the same way of life as they had in the 13th century. Its cooking has such a fine reputation that several hotels and companies now organize courses of Fès cooking. During these participants visit markets, buy food and put what they have learnt in to practice. You can, also, enrol in pottery, calligraphy, Arabo-Andalusian music courses.
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