Fun things to do in Wilaya de Fes

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The Medersa el Attarin (medersa - college) was completed in 1325 by the Merinid sultan Abou Said which makes it one of the earliest and finest medieval colleges in Fes. The entrance opens onto a courtyard with a fountain in the middle where you may find the prayer hall right ahead. Take some time to study the detail in the woodwork and patterns; they are perhaps the most complex of decorations in Fes. Compared to the rest of the building, the prayer hall is very simple which focuses on the prayer niche surrounded by marble pillars.

The Medersa is an interesting stop and shouldn't be missed; it opens daily 8.30am - 5pm and costs 10dh per person.

The Royal Palace is situated at the far end of the Mellah's main street; it has been expanded and rebuilt over the centuries and is by far one of the greatest buildings in Morocco; its surrounded by vast and beautiful gardens. You may not enter the palace, however in the '70s sometimes it was possible to gain permission to enter part of the grounds. Only official guests may visit.

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Unlike Western countries, shopping in Morocco is a unique experience because YOU decide the value of the product! Nothing is priced and that's where the fun begins... a glass of mint tea, super haggling power, lots of persuasion and you can get some fantastic bargains! Their specialities include Berber rugs, ceramics, leather goods, silver and the list goes on...

Tip on haggling: Start with a very low price (even if it sounds ridiculous) but then that gives you space for bargaining. Don't give up insisting that this would be your final price; pretending to walk away and buying it elsewhere works wonders :) Try it!!

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Fes el Djedid was an entirely planned city built by the Merinids at the beginning of their rule; work begun in 1273 by Abou Youssef and was completed within 3 years. In this city one may find plenty upmarket hotels, restaurants and also the Royal Palace and Mellah - the Jewish quarter. After exiting Bab Boujeloud you leave behind you the souks of the Medina to be replaced by a massive expanse of walls and gardens: the private Jardins Beida and the Jardin de Boujeloud where you may wander around and rest on the grass for a great change of scenery from the busy souks.

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Whilst walking around the old city of Fes at one point you will smell this terrible stench! Yup you've made it to the Fes tannery! Anyone will gladly show you the way to view the men at work from a rooftop... they will explain to you how the process is done... a mixture of pigeon poo and lots of other vile stuff - no wonder the stench! :) It's quite interesting though; be sure to tip the man who gives you the 'tour'. He will then take you into his shop and persuade you into buying some of their leather goods - I ended up buying some beautiful yellow slippers (babouches) made from extremely soft goat leather... you cannot leave there empty-handed! Get ready for some good bargaining power and you're sorted... Anything from bags to belts to poufs to shoes!

Some of the baths are used to color the leather. There is none showing here : nobody was working as it was two days after the end on the Ramadan, and it was a rest day. I have older slides that show it. I will scan and add them later.

Mutton skins are bathing in various baths in order to remove any remaining flesh and the wool. Though it was winter, the smell was pestilential as always, but we came here to visit, then, we MUST visit, whichever the strength of the smell ! By the way, in summer, the smell is really atrocious, much worse than in winter !

A Maristane was a hospital that received travelers and pilgrims for free.

The disabled who were cured leaved the crutch they did not need any more ! (hang on the left).

Wealthy people of the city gave money for the Maristane and should be rewarded in Heaven.