Doyan of the imperial cities Fes was settled in 789 AD by Idriss the 1st, descendant of the Prophet. His sun, Idriss the 2nd decided in to establish here the headquarters of his dynasty. Beginning with 818 the sultan hosted 8000 families in his city. From that very moment, despite the wars for power and the periods it wasn’t the capital of the country, the imperial city didn’t cease to develop and to embellish.

Nowadays, Fes is with no doubt the most authentic city from North Africa. The intellectual radiance of its Coranic university, its famous mosque Karauoine, its artistic Arabian-Andalusian treasures, its medieval Medina Fes-el-Bali, and its endowed craftsmen, make of it the guardian of Islam traditions.

It is not easy to find monuments. Try to enter at Bab Oujloud, nice blue – green door. A little further you can visit the medersa Bou Inania and right of the heart of the medina the mosque Karaouine. Before the establishment of the mosque Hassan the 2nd, it was the biggest mosque in Morocco. Meanwhile you will be probably arrived in the square En Nejjarine and in front of Zaouïa de Moulay Idriss, a saint place where the establisher of the city, Moulay Idriss the 2nd rests.

The fountain of the square En Nejjarine is the most beautiful of Fes with its zellige decor and its open shed of cedar woods.

The Medersa El Attarine is also a nice representation of the Hispanic - Maureque architecture, but it is less kept than Medersa Ben Youssef which we saw in Marrakech. The andalusian district can be also a part of the visit, but it is less interesting than Kaiorun district and extends the journey that is already important.

The souks (traditional markets) present surely the greatest interest of Fes. The visit of the district Tanner is impressive. The tanners, with nude legs in vast of colour are very natural. The skin was first of all debarased of hair in lime baths during weeks. The tremendous spectacle of this work can be perceived at the tanners trade’s top. Accept the spearmint leaves proposed by the tradesmen in order to support to nauseating smells that you will meat above the vats. Be careful when you buy Turkish slippers, a bag in pouf or in leather, you have to know that the fassian leather don’t loose easily its odour. Souk of the cleaner, of the jewels, of the forge, of the joinery, everything is designed in this town. Enter for the pleasure of the eyes and buy, if you feel like bringing back some souvenirs.