Fez: A Wonderland City of 1,000 Years

Fez is the wonderland of the Arabian Nights. Walking through Fez the ancient city is like walking through time back to the past, for you can tour the maze like alleys with amazement while admiring the passing pack of donkeys.

The ancient city is located in the north of Morocco, about 190km away from the capital Rabat in the west. Being the earliest-built Arabic city in the territory of Morocco, Fez was the first imperial city ever built in Morocco and has experienced 2,800 years of history. It is regarded as the holy land of Islam.

You need to go through the Bab Bou Jeloud Gate if you intend to enter the city. One side of the gate is covered by cobalt ceramic tiles, and the other side is covered by green Islamic ceramic tiles. Located in Fez, behind the dusty iron gate, is the most incredible treasure that you have never imagined ̶ Glaoui Palace. Stepping over the threshold of it is like entering the Medieval Period or the world of the Arabian Nights.

An Arabic city without mosques will not feel like an Arabic city. As the spiritual capital and an ancient Islamic city, Fez has no shortage of mosques. According to history, there were 785 mosques in total during the golden time of Fez. So far, 360 mosques have been preserved, with Karaouiyne Mosque supported by 270 round pillars being the most famous one.

You will see all types of old buildings when walking through the city. It is said that the structure of the whole city hasn’t changed for more than 1,000 years, with more than 9,000 narrow interconnected cobwebbed alleys. We can even claim that this is the most complicated and densest city among the Medina cities I have ever seen. These alleys seem to have no rules or directions at all, with wide alleys connecting small alleys, which connect smaller alleys. You cannot even find a 30-meter-long straight road, and some of them can only allow one person walking sideways to pass.

Talaa Kebira begins at Bab Bou Jeloud and is the liveliest part of the city. When you take each step, you will hear the sounds of the craftsmen coming from the labyrinth-like work studios deeply hidden behind the main street. Some are carving flower patterns on the polished bronze items, some are carving on wooden pieces, some are blowing glass, and some are working on the huge cloth weavers. The wares or vessels sold in Morocco are mostly made in Fez.

Following road signs, you will be able to find the dyeing workplace. Hundreds of neatly arranged stone mortars serve as dyeing urns, in which different kinds of dyestuff are placed. It is said they haven’t been replaced for more than 200 years. In the sunshine, the men jump into or put pieces of sheep and cattle hide into the mortars, or take out the soaked hide. If seen from afar, it is like dancing on the palette. It is said that one of the important reasons why Fez has been listed as one of the World Heritage Sites is because of these huge unique mortars.