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My Passion Voyage

Work. Save. Travel. Repeat

Medina of Fez

Fez is the ancient capital of Morocco, an Imperial city and has retained its status as the country’s cultural and spiritual centre.. Fortress of Bjorn Nord in Fez The Medina has been founded around the 9th century by Idriss II.  It started as a small Berber village,  soon joined by families fleeing Spain and Tunisia.Street in Medina

It also houses the oldest University of Al-Karaouine and with a total population of 156,000, is also believed to be the biggest car-free urban area in the world.

The Medina has been listed UNESCO World site heritage in 1981.

The Medina counts  more than 9,000 streets and dead ends.  The streets in these areas are very narrow, and for obviouse reasons, car free.  But not donkey-free, or motorcyle-free.

Fez, Medina13,380 historic buildings have been listed and with 10,539 retail businesses, it remains the prime commercial centre in Fez.

The entire city is  surrounded by high walls. To enter the medina, you need to go trough historic city gates.

There is only one large public square, located near the geographic center of the medina. This area gives access to buses, trucks, taxis, and some private cars.

There are several other gates open to road traffic, but these roads penetrate the medina only a short distance and end at a parking area.

Golden Gates of Palais Royal

Royal Palace of Fez Royal Palace in Fez

The palace is located in Fes Jdid quarter.  It has an area size of 80 hectares, and is known for the brass gate ornamented with tilework and carved cedar woods.  It is not accessible to the public.

The Blue Gate (Bab Boujeloud)

The Blue Gate is the most iconic gate to the old medina. Blue Gate Blue Gate Market The Medina
Resources Wikipedia BBC Travel story National Geographic

Chefchaouen, Blue Pearl of Morocco

Chefchaouen, the Blue Pearl of Morocco, is a small city located in the North of the country. The city was founded in 1471 to fight the Portuguese invasions of Northern Morocco.

ChefchaouenChefchaouen blue walls are a popular subject of interest.  There are several theories explaining the painted blue walls.

One theory is that is keeps the mosquitos away; another one is the blue colour symbolizes the sky and the heaven and serve as a reminder to lead a spiritual life.

There is more than one way to go to Chefchaouen from Fez, or Tanger.

I was in Fez and decided to travel by bus.

On the road to ChefchaouenThe journey is quite long (roughtly 5 hours) but the sceneries are exceptionnal and are worthwhile seeing. More info about Chefchaouen can be found here:  
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