Fez
Today, Fez stands as a living monument to that legacy. Enclosed within ochre-colored ramparts, the ancient medina of Fes el-Bali is a world apart—a medieval labyrinth where time appears to have stopped. More than 9,000 narrow alleys twist and turn beneath carved balconies and tiled minarets, leading visitors deeper into the city’s soul with every step.
Pass through Bab Boujloud, the famed Blue Gate, and enter a city alive with the scent of spices, the hum of craftsmen at work, and the gentle rhythm of tradition. Within the maze, shops overflow with brass lanterns, handwoven rugs, and delicate ceramics. The air is filled with a mix of cedarwood, leather, and the steam of mint tea.
Fez is home to Al-Qarawiyyin University, founded in 859 CE and recognized as the world’s oldest operating institution of higher learning. It remains a beacon of Islamic scholarship and architectural grace, nestled quietly among the whitewashed buildings of the medina.
Nearby, the Chouara Tannery offers one of the city’s most striking and unfiltered sights. From rooftop terraces, one can watch workers dye leather in deep pools of saffron yellow, pomegranate red, and indigo blue—an age-old process unchanged by time.
Moments of calm can be found inside the Bou Inania Medersa, where ornate zellige tilework, carved cedar, and quiet courtyards invite reflection. Beyond the medina, the Andalusian Quarter and the Mellah (Jewish district) offer further layers of Fez’s rich cultural tapestry.
As the day softens into dusk, the city takes on a different rhythm. The last light warms the rooftops, the call to prayer echoes over the hills, and the medina glows with the warmth of shared meals and flickering lanterns.
Fez doesn’t perform. It reveals. It asks for patience and offers depth. Where Marrakech dazzles with energy, Fez lingers in the memory—a city that speaks in whispers and leaves its mark in silence.