FEZ, IMPERIAL CAPITAL OF MOROCCO

History

• Founded in 808 A.D. by the new Idriss Dynasty proclaimed by Ali, the royal capital of Fez is composed of two centres, located on either side of the river and occupied by Andalusian Shi'ite immigrants and by immigrants from Kairouan respectively.
• While conflicts between the Fatimid Shi'ites and the Umayyads were pursued elsewhere in Morocco, the city of Fez underwent development.
• After being captured repeatedly during the 11th century by the Almoravids Sunnites, the two quarters were united within the same fortification wall. Fez was then captured by the Shi'ite Almohades.
• In the 13th century, when the Marinides came to power, Fez began to experience a period of progress. A new city and a Jewish quarter were added to the royal capital, which was enjoying expansion and enlightenment. Fez reached its heyday in the 14th century.
• After its fall in the 15th century, Fez regained its function as capital under the rule of the Alaouites (descendants of Ali who still reigned over Morocco) in the 19th century. From the time of its prestigious past to the present, Fez has retained its function as an Islamic cultural centre.

Number of residents: 1185000

•   Urban: 898900
•   Rural:    287000

•  Density:   219.4 h/Km2

The amazing city of fez

The Holy City of Fez is a jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilisation. Fez does not reveal its secrets easily. Secretive, shadowy, they need to be discovered little by little, with reverence. Only in this way can the splendours of Medrsa architecture be fully appreciated. Bustling with artisans and merchants, its captivating sounds, fragrances and colours mesmerise the visitor with  AUTOTEXTLIST   \* MERGEFORMAT spectacle. For hundreds of years such work bas been regulated by traditional guilds, ensuring that its quality is worthy of the city. Each district has its own speciality : cobalt blue enamelled pottery, carpets, wrought iron ...

For more information visit the portal of Fez cit:

Inscription Criteria

The twin cities have not lost their individual characters. "Fez is at once an astonishing city-museum and one of the largest Islamic metropoli where the various demographic strata have determined the greatest variety of architectural forms and urban landscapes." No reference to any of the six criteria is given.

Leisure and discovery

Jewel of the Arab and Moslem world, Fez is the spiritual, intellectual and cultural capital of Morocco. Senior of the imperial cities, Fez remains without any doubt, the most authentic city of North Africa, the thousand-year-old city which contains treasures of art arabo-Moslem. (Fouad SERRHINI, C.E.O Of ADER)

In the immediate surroundings

  Fez Royal golf Club (18 holes) 10 miles away from town.
  Equestrian Center at 2 km.
  Tennis Club (6 courts) at 10 min.
  The spas of Moulay Yacoub and Sidi Harazem.
  The Roman archaeological site of Volubilis (UNESCO world heritage)
  The Holy city of Moulay Idriss