If you are wondering what is Fes famous for, the answer is very simple. Fes is famous for being the old cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco. It is a city that feels like going back in time.
The most famous things in Fes are the giant old medina, the oldest university in the world, the traditional leather tanneries and the beautiful hand crafts. Many people visit Fes every year to see these ancient places. I am actually very close to Fes right now in Meknes, so I know this area very well.
In this article I will tell you the 10 things that make Fes one of the most unique cities in our country. You will learn about the history, the old markets, the Islamic architecture and why the culture here is so special and authentic.
Quick Answer: What Is Fes Famous For?
For a fast answer, here is a quick list of things that make this city so known.
Fes is famous for:
- The ancient Fes el-Bali medina which has thousands of small streets.
- The University of Al-Qarawiyyin, recognized as the oldest university in the whole world.
- Traditional leather tanneries where workers color leather by hand.
- Historic madrasas with very beautiful mosaic tiles and wood.
- Authentic Moroccan craftsmanship like pottery and metal work.
- Rich Islamic culture and a very long history.
These are the main reasons why travelers from everywhere come to walk in the old streets of Fes today.
The Historic Medina of Fes (Fes el-Bali)
The most important thing in Fes is the old city. It is called Fes el-Bali. This place is a UNESCO World Heritage site because it is very old and important. It is actually one of the largest medieval medinas in the world.
When you walk inside, you will find over 9,000 narrow streets and small alleys. There are no cars inside because the streets are too small. People only use donkeys or small carts to move things. It is very easy to get lost here, but getting lost is part of the experience.
Life Inside the Medina
Life inside the medina is very busy and full of energy. The souks (markets) are full of people buying and selling food and clothes. You will hear the noise of the workshops where men hit metal and cut wood. You will also see many beautiful old mosques hidden between the houses.
When the time for prayer comes, you hear the call to prayer from many places at the same time. The medina is not just for tourists. It is a real place where local families live, work and go to school every day. It is a very alive museum of Moroccan history.
The World-Famous Leather Tanneries
When people think about what Fes is famous for, they always think about the leather tanneries. The most famous one is the Chouara Tannery. This place is very old. They still use the same centuries-old leather production process from a long time ago. They do not use modern machines.
When you visit, you stand on a high balcony and look down. You will see many round stone pools. These are the iconic dye pits. The pools are filled with different natural colors like red, yellow and brown. The workers stand in the water and clean and color the animal skins by hand. It is a very hard job.
This place is one of the most photographed places in Morocco because the colors look very beautiful from above. The smell is a bit strong because they use natural things to clean the leather, but they give you some fresh mint leaves to hold near your nose. It is a very special thing to see.
The Oldest University in the World
Many people do not know this, but Fes is home to the oldest university in the world. It is the University of Al-Qarawiyyin. It was founded in the year 859 by a woman named Fatima al-Fihri. This makes it older than the famous universities in Europe.
For many centuries, this university was a very important center of Islamic learning. Students from many different countries came to Fes to study religion, science, mathematics and astronomy.
The university is located right in the middle of the old medina. It is also a very big mosque. Because it is a holy place, people who are not Muslim cannot go inside the prayer rooms. But you can stand at the door and look at the beautiful courtyard with the water fountains and the old stone floors. The library here has some of the oldest books in the world. It is a very proud part of Fes history.
Traditional Moroccan Crafts
Fes is the best city in Morocco for traditional crafts. The artisans here are very famous for their skills. These skills pass from the father to the son for many generations.
Fes is famous for artisan traditions such as leather goods. After the leather comes from the tannery, people make beautiful bags, shoes and jackets. The city is also very famous for ceramics and pottery. Fes pottery is usually white and blue with very detailed hand painted designs. You can visit the pottery factories outside the medina to see how they shape the clay.
Another big craft is the metalwork. You will see men making big brass lamps and copper plates with small hammers. They make a lot of noise but the work is very beautiful. Finally, Fes is known for making traditional carpets and textiles. The weavers use big wooden machines to make colorful rugs from sheep wool. Buying a craft from Fes is a very good way to remember your trip.
Historic Madrasas and Islamic Architecture
A madrasa is an old Islamic school for students. Fes has some of the most beautiful madrasas in the country. The architecture in these schools is very nice and shows the best of Moroccan design.
The two most famous ones are the Bou Inania Madrasa and the Al-Attarine Madrasa. You can go inside these schools and see the beautiful courtyards. The walls are covered from top to bottom in beautiful zellige tilework. Zellige is a style of mosaic where they cut small pieces of colored tiles to make geometric stars and shapes.
Above the tiles, the walls have carved plaster with Arabic writing. And at the very top, you will see the carved cedar wood. The wood comes from the Atlas mountains and it smells very nice. The details are so small and perfect that you can look at them for a long time. These madrasas are very quiet places compared to the busy streets outside.
Fes as Morocco’s Cultural and Spiritual Capital
Fes is very different from other cities. It is recognized as Morocco’s cultural and spiritual capital. This means it is the center of religion and traditional learning. You can read more about this in our article why is Fes called the spiritual heart of Morocco.
For many hundreds of years, the kings and religious leaders lived here. Fes had a big historic role in Moroccan religion and scholarship. The scholars of Fes wrote many important books and made laws.
Because of this, the city has a very strong influence on Moroccan culture everywhere. The way people speak Arabic in Fes, the traditional music they play, and the special food they cook are seen as very refined and elegant. When Moroccans think of Fes, they think of a city that keeps the pure traditions of the past alive today.
Traditional Markets and Souks
The traditional markets in Fes are called souks. Walking in the souks is an experience for all your senses. The streets are grouped by what they sell.
For example, there are the spice markets where you can see big mountains of yellow cumin, red paprika, and colorful tea leaves. The smell is very nice and strong. Then you have the artisan workshops where people make things right in front of you. You can see the carpenters making small wooden boxes, or tailors sewing traditional clothes called djellabas.
The traditional trading culture is very old here. People still bargain for the prices over a glass of sweet mint tea. The shop owners are very friendly and they like to talk about their goods. It is a very authentic way to shop, much better than going to a modern mall.
Famous Gates and Historic Monuments
Because Fes was an imperial city, it has very big walls around the old medina to protect it. Inside these walls there are many famous gates and historic monuments.
The most famous gate is Bab Bou Jeloud. Many tourists call it the Blue Gate. It is covered in blue tiles on the outside to welcome people, and green tiles on the inside because green is the color of Islam. It is a very popular place to take photos.
Another beautiful monument is the Royal Palace. You cannot go inside the palace, but you can visit the big open square to see the massive golden brass doors of the Royal Palace gates. They are very shiny and beautiful. You can also visit the Merinid Tombs on the hill outside the city. From there you can see a panoramic view of the whole old city of Fes.
Why Fes Is One of the Most Authentic Cities in Morocco
Many travelers ask why they should visit Fes instead of other places. The answer is that Fes is one of the most authentic cities in Morocco.
Fes has preserved traditions better than anywhere else. It is less modernized than other big cities like Casablanca or Marrakech. The medina is not just made for tourists. It is a real functioning city from the middle ages.
When you walk in Fes, you see local life exactly how it was a long time ago. The food, the clothes, the religion, and the daily work are all very traditional. It offers a very authentic cultural experience that is hard to find in the world today. If you want to see the real soul of the country, you must visit Fes.
FAQ (Featured Snippet Target)
Here are some common questions people ask about this historic city.
Why is Fes important in Morocco?
Fes is important because it is the old spiritual and cultural capital of the country. It was the center of religion, science, and politics for many centuries. The oldest university is here, and it helped shape the culture and traditions of the whole Moroccan nation.
Is Fes the oldest city in Morocco?
Fes is the oldest of Morocco’s four imperial cities. It was founded in the 8th century by Idris I. It has the oldest functioning medina and the oldest university, so it feels like the most ancient place, even if there are older Roman ruins in other parts of the country.
What is the most famous place in Fes?
The most famous place in Fes is the Chouara Tannery. It is the big open air place where men color leather in round stone pools. Another very famous place is the Blue Gate (Bab Bou Jeloud) which is the beautiful entrance to the old medina.
Is Fes worth visiting?
Yes, Fes is definitely worth visiting. It is a very unique place. If you like history, old architecture, traditional crafts, and walking in old streets with no cars, you will love Fes. It is very different from any city in Europe or America. Also, if you worry about safety, you can read our guide is Fes Morocco safe to see it is a very secure place for tourists.
What makes Fes different from Marrakech?
Fes is older, more traditional, and more quiet than Marrakech. Fes has a larger medina that is completely car-free, and it focuses more on crafts and religion. Marrakech is more red, more busy with tourists, and has a very open flat feeling with more modern places. You can see both in our guide about the beautiful cities in Morocco.
Conclusion
To summarize everything, Fes is famous for many wonderful things. It has the biggest car-free medina, the oldest university, and the famous leather tanneries. The traditional crafts and Islamic architecture are very beautiful to see.
Fes keeps the cultural heritage of Morocco alive every day. It is a city that takes you back in time to show you how people lived many centuries ago. If you plan to travel to Morocco, you should spend a few days walking in these old streets. Drink some mint tea, smell the spices, and enjoy the very authentic life of this beautiful old city.