Fez Medina - Fez, Morocco

The center of commerce and social interaction in Morocco seems to gravitate to her medinas. The Medina is the old city, a place where merchants, tourists, and locals intersect. Of all the medinas in Morocco, Fez may be the most famous. It is a medina that you may not want to venture into alone. It is easy to get lost among the 9400 streets and alleyways that make up the massive market. We traversed the medina with a guide, so getting in and out was not an issue. But I would not have wanted to navigate my way around without some help.

The most striking feature of the Fez Medina are its narrow alleyways. It is not uncommon to encounter a donkey or mule while navigating the often narrow passageways of the medina. But winding through the medina offers a spectacular exposure to the sights, sounds and smells of Morocco. From grilled meat to bright fresh vegetables to the cacophony of barter, the marketplace is an assault on the senses. In a good way. While it can be overwhelming, navigating with a guide takes the pressure off of maintaining a sense of direction, allowing us to absorb the culture of the ancient city.

Fez was founded in the ninth century and is home to the world's oldest university. Fez was in its heydey in the middle ages, when it served as the capital of Morocco. In some ways, it retains the heartbeat of Morocco, serving as a cultural capital, if not the political seat of government. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1981. It is a culturally rich area that has retained a mystique largely embedded in the medina. No automobiles are permitted in the medina, allowing the area to retain an intimate connection with its past. Walls are often buttressed against each other with large beams visible to visitors among the narrow routes through the medina.

Cats are ubiquitous in Morocco. They aren't necessarily pets. But they are taken care of communally it seems. It was not uncommon for us to run into a cat with her kittens as we trekked through the medina. Aside from cats, there were a variety of other live animals we encountered from horses to donkeys to chickens. The animals added to the market atmosphere of the medina.

During this trip, we visited a madrassa, a carpet factory and a leather shop. I will probably post more on the leather shop later, as that was an experience unto itself. But I will share a few photos of the other stops along the way.

Leatherworks

Madrassa

Carpet Shop

We spent the better part of a day navigating the Fez Medina. It would be easy to spend a full day here. Or even two. We had lunch in a small restaurant that I will talk more about later. We had the opportunity to buy carpets, leather and a host of other crafts. I will leave you with some photographs of the medina that speak volumes more than what I could describe. You can get an idea for the eclectic feel of the place.

I hope you have enjoyed this trip through the Fez Medina. Stay tuned for more of Morocco to come. All photos are my own. They may be reproduced with prior permission.