Fes

April 24 Fes. 

Walking in the narrow alleys in Fes El Bali

Today we did a walking tour of Fes El Bali, the extraordinary medieval walled city. Once inside the gates of this great spectacle, we saw an entirely different view of life in Morocco. In contrast to the well-planned Ville Nouvelle of Fes, the old city is a labyrinth of alleys and lanes lined with shops, mosques, homes and schools. In 1980 UNESCO designated the medina a World Heritage Site.

Lemons and olives

Our guide took us to the medina to view the market shops, or suks. Everything from food to clothing and handicrafts of all types are for sale and bargaining. We see the famous fabric dying area with the brightly coloured cloth hanging to dry and the leather tanning.

Leather Dying

We visit the Royal Palace, several mosques, theological schools, and shops where we can see craftsmen tailoring their work. We also walk through the jewish neighborhood. It is an amazing look into the life of the Moroccan city dweller where little has changed over the centuries.

Donkeys still bring in goods to Fes El Bali