Medina Cross Section

Fez, Morocco

As we walked through the ancient medina, our guide informed us that in Fez we have the old city (Fes el Bali medina founded 808), the new city (Fes el Jdid medina founded in 1276), and the new new city (Ville Nouvelle constructed during the French colonial era).

The city has more than 100 mosques, including the mosque containing the shrine of Idris II, founder of the old city, and known as one of the holiest places in Morocco. Also, the Qaraouiyine mosque is the center of a Muslim university that was very influential in the Middle Ages.

There are several high vantage points that give you a nice view of Fez. We were fortunate to be in one of these locations as the call to prayer started and it was an enchanting sound as all of the mosques’ adhan (“call to prayer”) echoed through the ancient walls of the medina.

Morocco