Erlebnisse in Fez

Fez was founded in 789 A.D. by Moulay Idriss II, the son of the founder of modern Morocco. An ancient breeding ground for scholars, artisans and imams, Fez has kept its traditional Moroccan authenticity and appearance. The city has two old medina quarters, the larger of which is Fes el Bali which is listed as a World Heritage Site. Home to 70,000 people, the medina remains the world's largest car-free urban area. The imperturbable self-confidence of this patchwork metropolis can be traced to the Al Qaraouyine, one of Africa’s largest mosques and possibly the oldest university in the world (859). Ancient mosques and medersas such as Medersa Bou Inania and Medersa el-Attarine give a great sense of the splendor of the Islamic architecture. The Chaouwara tanneries is also a must-see (and smell) where natural process of producing world-class leather is mastered. If you want to take a break from the labyrinthine medina, you can still take the pulse of modern Fez. Head to the Fez el-Jdid and Ville Nouvelle, visit the Mellah (Jewish quarter), the Batha Museum, enjoy innovative street-food and stroll in Jnane Sbil gardens, one of the oldest gardens in Fez.