Circuit lasting 2 hours

Achievable walk

Access points: Gate of the royal palace - Place Moulay Al Hassan

Theme: Discovery and crafts Mellah of Fez Jdid

Main steps: Ibn Danan Synagogue - Bab Semmarine - Jamaa Al-Hamra - Fez Jdid Street - Al Synagogue Fassiyine

More than the discovery of a neighborhood, this circuit starting gate of the Royal Palace and ending square Moulay Hassan offers a visit to a real city, Fes Jdid, new town or white city royal city of the thirteenth century, which was built to accommodate the residence of the new ruling dynasty, the Merinids. A special feature of this space is to have contained within it the first Jewish neighborhood of Morocco Mellah. Artisans and savvy marketers, Jews left their mark this district, by the construction of numerous synagogues, such as Ibn Danan Synagogue or the Synagogue Al Fassiyine. Beyond the Mellah and after crossing the monumental Bab Semmarine, your steps will lead you through the busy shopping street Fez Jdid, which gives access to the majestic Place Moulay al Hassan, and beyond the Garden Jnane Sbil.

Mellah

First organized Jewish neighborhood of Morocco hosted the Mellah Jewish community of Fez to the end of the twentieth century. Installed in this area, the Jews had the opportunity to exercise all the crafts. Some even their being reserved, as activities related to jewelery or coinage. Recognizable by its broad main street almost straight, the Mellah has a special charm. Materialized by the presence of large balconies made of wood and wrought iron that decorate the facades, the architectural specificity of this street is the opening to the outside of houses, in contrast to what you may encounter in traditional Muslim areas of the old medina. Steps away, the Jewish cemetery will give you an idea of the importance of the community in the past.

Synagogue Ibn Danan – Synagogue Al Fassiyine

Representatives of many places of worship built by the old Jewish community in the Mellah, these synagogues are still the architectural witnesses of choice. Indeed, seventeen synagogues that had Fes in the early twentieth century, it is they that have marked the memories, as well as the synagogue or Mansano Emhabbanim Synagogue. Recognized for the high historical and architectural value, Ibn Danan Fassiyine and Al were supported in restoration and rehabilitation programs. The Ibn Danan synagogue is also recognized by the Ministry of Culture as a historic monument since 2002.

Place Moulay Al Hassan – Dar Makina

Picturesque and spacious place Moulay Hassan al hosts since the 80s, one of the expected events of the year, the International Festival of Sacred Music in Fez. Has a rectangle with broad dimensions, the square is surrounded by high walls. Composed of buildings from various periods, this space built by the Sultan Moulay Hassan in the late nineteenth century did not lose its coherence and harmony. Sponsored by the Sultan, an arms factory, Dar Makina will be integrated into the whole. Specificity of this building, the architectural style of European inspiration testifies to the participation of Italian architects in this ambitious project.

  Fès Jdid