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Living History
The ancient city of Fez was founded at the end of the 8th Century. Mosques were built in the centre and shops and houses were built as close as possible. With approximately 9500 tangled narrow streets making up the worlds most complicated city, it is almost impossible for newcomers to find their way.
Cities like this, with complex and labyrinthine alleys, were built in the Mediterranean region to thwart invasions. The Medina of Fez, with eight km of fortified walls, is a superb example of such a design and has survived intact for so long because of this. The whole Medina is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Due to the narrowness of the streets there are no cars – in fact Fez Medina is the largest car-free urban area in the world. People rely on donkeys or men with wheeled carts to transport goods.
Women in Muslim society have kept to the tradition of not revealing their faces to men other than their family members. There was a tradition of sitting by a ‘rawashin’ window, whereby women used to watch the outside world through its holes. You will spot these windows as you explore the Medina.
Doors in the Medina were built in alternate positions because the alleys are so narrow. Though the alleyways are dark, the houses inside are bright and open. A central courtyard allows fresh air and light to stream in, while the high walls block the sun's rays. The lack of windows on the outside also creates total privacy, a central aspect of Islamic architecture.
Traditionally, people living in the Medina of Fez were said to spend their lives within the city walls without ever going outside. Indeed, the Medina is still a self-contained society, it’s streets buzzing with activity as people continue their daily lives in the same fashion as they have done for centuries.
The spirit and tradition of medieval Islamic society has been well-preserved in the Medina and lives on today.
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Museums and Cultural Festivals:
• Moulay Idriss II Museum
• Sidi Ali Boughaleb Museum
• The Festival of Andalusian Music in February
• Sufi Music and Culture Festival in April
• The Sefrou Cherry Festival in June
• The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music in June
• The Festival of Culinary Arts in October
• The Jazz in Riads Festival in October
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Activities in and around Fez:
• Guided historical visit of Fez Medina, shopping, souks and sights
• Tour of the ramparts and pottery visit
• Learn the art of Moroccan cuisine at Riad Maison Bleue’s cooking school
• The thermal resort of Moulay Yacoub, known for its sulphur hot springs
• Sidi Harazem swimming pool and springs, a naturally warm thermal site
• The Royal Golf Club of Fez: 18-hole golf course in a magnificent olive grove
• Meknes Royal Golf Club: 9-hole golf course with a view over the minarets of the Medina, which are lit up at night for an evening round
• Horse riding centres offering rides in the country
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Day Trips and Excursions:
• The imperial city of Meknes
• The ruins of the ancient Roman city Volubilis
• The picturesque town and holy pilgrimage site of Moulay Idriss
• The cave homes and pre-islamic culture of Bahlil
• The Middle Atlas cedar forests, waterfalls and lakes
• The charming town of Ifrane with its surrounding lakes and skiing
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Culinary Adventures with ‘Fez Food’:
• Learn the ancient art of hand-rolled couscous with the Berber women of the Middle Atlas
• Picnic in the style of the Romans at the ruins of Volubilis feasting on the most authentic recipes
• Experience artisan production of olive oil in the beautiful holy city of Moulay Idriss
• Tour a boutique winery near Meknes and taste the wines of New Morocco with the winemaker
• Walk and savour the Fez Flavour Trail and be guided through the gastronomic centre of Imperial Morocco |
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Further Afield:
• Visit the picturesque ‘blue medina’ of Chefchaouen
• Wander the wide boulevards and ocean views of Rabat, Morocco’s capital
• Tour the enchanting sea-side town of Asilah
• Swim at the unspoilt beaches of the Mediterranean between Nador and Saidia
• Visit the sand dunes of Merzouga and Erfoud
Our professional and knowledgeable concierge can help you to arrange any of the activities and excursions mentioned above, or tailor guided day-trips and/or transfers to suit your needs.
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