Morocco: Fez Medina

What a day. One of the reasons I chose this particular tour of Morocco was its stop in Fez and the chance to explore the ancient medina, which dates to 808 CE. We started our day overlooking the medina from a panoramic view point above the walls. In the shade it was actually quite chilly, which I was grateful for, because a hot day would just make the walking and exploring too overwhelming.

We entered the medina through one of the main gates and started winding our way into the labyrinth that is ancient Fez. Our guide for the day was born in the medina and knew its 9000 streets and alleys intimately, which is crucial for finding your way. Since we started so early in the day we were the only tourists in the areas we first explored, and many shops hadn't opened for the days. We passed vegetable sellers, bakers (many of whom bake the dough brought to them by individual families), a few assorted butchers, and lots of people setting up their wares for a busy day of selling.

The medina's streets are too tiny for vehicles, and even motorbikes are relatively rare sights. There were a few small motorized carts, but most goods are moved by carts wheeled by men or on donkeys or mules. The cobbled streets are angled to allow for drainage, and public fountains abound. We saw the outsides (and a few glimpses inside) of numerous mosques and were treated to a tour of the - very clean and neat - public toilets dating to the ninth century. 

Fabric sellers, tailors, thread/notion vendors, and the like we're opening their doors as we passed through. We met a man, approaching 80 years old, who still runs his grinding shop to sharpen knives, scissors, or anything else that needs grinding. He happily showed off his leg-powered grinding wheel and offered to circumcise any member of our group for a good price. Somewhat apropos of nothing, circumcision jokes featured heavily into our guide's narrative. 

The relatively plain streets and cement walls are punctuated in every nook and cranny with mosaics, ornate doors of wood and metal, and elaborate plaster carvings/stencils. We walked through a plain wooden door and found ourselves in the breathtaking courtyard of a thirteenth century madrasa, complete with phenomenal mosaics on the floors and walls, gorgeous mashrabiya carvings, and lots of  intricate plaster work. There were several fountains inside, and the light hit the mosaics perfectly.

Shortly after this our wanderings led to our first break for the day, in a carpet cooperative in a dar (smaller house) with unbelievable mosaics as well. While we rested our feet and sipped on mint tea we were treated to the typical hard sell on carpets. I was prepared to walk out empty handed, but I found that the color palette of many of the rugs ran to my taste - blues and greens instead of the typical reds/oranges/yellows. I fell instantly in love with three carpets - one Fez style blue knotted one and two woven kilims. I paid much more than I had intended but got a decent deal, and I know the carpets were handmade of good wool, and the trade is regulated by the Ministry of Culture. Plus, how often do I find colors/patterns I fall instantly in love with??

My wallet lighter, I joined my tour mates (only a few of whom had similarly indulged) as we headed to the tanneries. The tanneries of the Fez medina are famous, with the techniques and equipment virtually unchanged in the last 1200+ years. Armed with sprigs of mint to keep the smells from upsetting stomachs, we climbed to the top of a building to see skins drying in the sun and overlook the dying vats and witness a small part of the curing process. The curing is done with pigeon droppings, limestone, and some cow urine. The dyes are all natural - henna, poppy, saffron, indigo, mint, etc. We headed to a leather emporium for a better look at the dying vats (which were, quite sadly, empty), and I did manage to avoid the temptation to buy this time.

We did a quick glimpse into the Moulay Idriss II Mausoleum (not open to non-Muslims) and then headed to lunch in a riad. Lunch was a variety of vegetable salads and a choice of main dishes. I enjoyed some tasty couscous and the phenomenal veggie selection. 

After lunch we visited a wood museum in a renovated building with gorgeous mashrabiya and then wound our way back out the gates to the main roads and our bus. I'm writing this only an hour after returning, but I've already forgotten so many details of this day. It truly was an assault to the senses. We got to see a metal worker shaping brass cooking dishes and spent much of the day dodging people as the crush of people increased by the hour. The street vendors followed us relentlessly, thrusting leather goods and silver jewelry in our faces and promising 'democratic' prices. I am so glad we had a local guide and an itinerary; you could easily lose yourself for days in the medina. By the end I think we were all ready for a break, from walking and maneuvering and traversing uneven terrain, but also from the overload of sensory stimulation. 

The last stops were quick ones at the gates of the royal palace and a visit to the synagogue in the Jewish quarter and to see the Jewish cemetery. The Jewish population in Fez is down to about 600 nowadays, but this is down from a significant number earlier last century.

I had intended to have dinner in one of the many restaurants near our hotel, but I am exhausted and behind on drafting blogs. So it's an improvised dinner and an early night. Which, after the chaos of today, is welcome.

View of Fez Medina from one of two lookout points. The open area with white is a cemetery. See the snow-capped Atlas Mountains?

The cemetery

Another view of the old city from a different vantage point.

We were about to enter this maze...

Only a little daunting, right?

Butcher shop

Amazing-looking produce

I'm so sad this photo has poor lighting. It was hilarious to watch these cats watch these chickens, especially the ones that stuck their heads out of the bars!

Yummy beans.

The old bathroom's washing area

Early in the morning many streets were quiet. This didn't last.

One of many open squares.

The river running through the old medina

There has been a recent effort to reconstruct shops, and they were preparing for the king to visit soon. Here are two newly-refurbished shops.

A grinder hard at work, even at 80 years old. He was quite keen to show us how he powered the wheel with his leg.

I really love some of these lamps.

Buildings don't look like much from the outside, but then you step inside to a whole different world.

This is at a madrasa, a theological school.

I absolutely love the intricate plaster work.

Treasures through every doorway

Inside the carpet emporium where I might have purchased one or three beauties.

The level of detail is incredible!

The metal worker's masterpieces

Demonstrating his craft

And on to the tanneries! Treated hides out to dry.

More hides drying.

Lots of terraces and flat rooftops for leather processing

Looking down into the curing pits

To be honest I couldn't see what he was doing when I took the photo, so this was an interesting surprise.

Curing the hides involves a whole lot of pigeon poop and cow urine.

The dyeing vats. I'm so sad they were empty for cleaning! 

Solar panels!

Just imagine these filled with brightly-colored dyes.

More detail in the leather shop. I managed not to buy anything here.

Steps up to a mausoleum (if I remember correctly)

Non-Muslims couldn't go inside.

A refurbished building now hosting a wood museum.

Old scales

Phenomenal mashrabiyyah work.

The gates of the Fez Royal Palace, built by the artists' guilds of the Fez Medina.

A still-operating synagogue.

This Torah is written on gazelle skin.

Jewish cemetery.