Fez Jewish Quarter Private Tour

Fez Jewish Quarter Private Tour

Greet your guide at your Hotel or Riad then hop aboard your vehicle as you amble to your first destination. On route, your private guide provides a historical overview of Fez’ Jewish community.

Visit Ibn Danan Synagogue, a 17th Century Jewish landmark, Talmud Torah Synagogue, Talmud Torah and El Fassiyeen
Explore the Jewish Cemetery Museum and the Tomb of Solica
The Royal Palace and Stories of the Jewish Mellah
The home of Maimonides and the Fes Jewish Community Center.

►Begin your day in Fès, the oldest working medina in the world that many refer to as a living museum. Visit The 14th Century Palace Gates of the King. The Royal Palace in Fes is one of the oldest (14th Century) and largest in Morocco.

►Jewish Heritage Sites & Monuments in Fes:
Next visit the Jewish Mellah, the name of a Jewish quarters located in the old cities of Morocco, usually with a walled boundary. The Fes Mellah is also walled and it has a fortified gateway. These Jewish quarters are located near the royal residences which enabled its inhabitants to be protected from the wrath of the Muslim populace. The Fes Mellah was once solely inhabited by Jews. This was the first Mellah in Morocco and originated in 1438.

►Continue to the sacred site that many women are especially fond of: the Jewish Cemetery and Tomb of Solica. The Jewish cemetery contains the tombs of more Jewish saints than any other cemetery in Morocco. One of the more important saints is Lalla Solica, who was killed for refusing to convert to Islam.

►Visit the Ibn Danan Jewish Synagogue and other Synagogues in Fes:
Fes was once home to a flourishing Jewish community during the 17th century and was also the location of two well-known temples. The Ibn Danan synagogue has been added to the 1996 World Monuments Watch List and Fund.

►Explore the exterior home of Maimonides:
Throughout the old city of Fes, there are traces of ancient Jewish life, including the home of Maimonides, who lived in the city from 1159-1165. In the face of a declining population, the Jewish community of Fes is working hard to maintain its community spirit and preserve its heritage and traditions.

►Afternoon walk to Dyers souk of silk, wool and cotton. The dyers market, located along Rue de Teinturies, is the best place to see the dying vats which have been used for centuries to soak the skins of sheep, goat, cows, and camels after they have had the hair removed. You will see many tanned hides colored with natural pigments of shades of brown, orange, yellow and red.
Visit the following Fes Historic Sites in the Medina:
Cross the local fruit and vegetable market where you will witness the stalls of local traders and people buying their daily goods.

►The Tannery – The Chourara,or the Tanner’s Quarters, is the most lively and picturesque souks in Fès. The tanneries are often located near watercourses like the Wadi Fès and at a distance from residential areas due to the strongly unpleasant smells they produce. See the wide array of leather work, a tradition of Fes.

►Weavers Cooperative – Visit the Weavers Cooperative located in a residential neighborhood off a main shopping street. The workshop specializes in weaving the finest jellaba fabric, made of silk and wool threads imported from Italy.

►Mausoleum (Zaouia Sidi Ahmed Tijani) – The Zawiya of Sidi Ahmed al-Tijani contains the tomb of an 18th century Sufi Shaykh, founder of the Tijaniyya order. The Zawiya presents a street facade highly ornamented with carved wood, stucco, and glazed tile.

►University of Kairouine – Founded in 859, this university is one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Muslim world and is considered the oldest continuously operating institution of higher learning in the world.

►Mausolem (Zaouia Moulay Idriss) – A zaouia (shrine) dedicated to and the tomb of Moulay Idriss II, who ruled Morocco from 807 to 828 and founded the city of Fès for the second time in 810.

►Nejarine Square – This interesting square is dominated by the beautifully restored Nejjarine Wood Museum housed in an 18th century funduq. There is also a superbly decorated wall fountain. Browse the shops before venturing into the carpenters' souk with its amazing array of glitzy wedding chairs.

►Cross the carpenter area and enter Attarine Street, filled with scents of Fes such as spices and oils. Shop and explore for carpets, scarves, and local handicrafts. Antique and Modern Carpets is one of the places in Fès el Bali where you can see a Berber carpet demonstration.

►Visit the The Bou Inania Medersa. The Madrasa Bou Inania is a madrasa founded in AD 1351-56 by Abu Inan Faris, who also founded the Madrasa Bou Inania in Meknes. It is widely acknowledged as a major example of Merinad architecture. "Bou Inania" comes from the first part of the sultan's name "Abou Inan". The madrasa functioned as both an educational institute and as a congregational mosque at the same time. It is the only madrasa in Fes which has a minaret.