Fès, Morocco

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Fès, Morocco

Region: Fès-Meknès

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Geographic Coordinates: 34.043300, -5.003300

Climate: Seasonal climate patterns in Fès, Morocco include hot and dry summers, mild winters with occasional rainfall, and cooler temperatures in the higher elevations.

Population: 1112072

Language: Arabic

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Fès is a culturally rich city located in the northern part of Morocco with a population of over one million people. The city is renowned for its beautiful architecture, Vibrant culture, And fascinating history. One of the most notable features of Fès is its medina, Which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The medina houses several historical landmarks such as mosques, Palaces, And madrasas. It also boasts traditional markets where visitors can purchase various goods such as spices, Textiles, Pottery and jewelry.

An attraction that shouldn’t be missed by tourists in Fès’ medina district are the leather tanneries that have been operating for centuries. The oldest university in Fès is Al Quaraouiyine which was founded in 859 AD by Fatima al-Fihriya who was an Arab woman from Tunisia. This university has played an important role in Islamic scholarship throughout history and continues to be recognized as one of the world’s oldest universities. Another popular attraction in Fès is its Royal Palace which dates back to the 14th century.

Visitors can tour some parts of this palace including its stunning gardens with fountains adorned with intricate mosaic designs. Fès also boasts several museums that showcase Moroccan artistry such as Dar Batha Museum or Nejjarine Museum which are both dedicated to showcasing traditional Moroccan crafts like ceramics or woodwork respectively. There are many interesting day trips nearby too! For example Ifrane National Park located just outside town offers hiking trails through cedar forests where visitors can see Barbary macaques swinging from tree branches! – no visit to Fez would be complete without trying some delicious Moroccan food!

Some must-try dishes include tagine (slow-cooked meat or vegetables), Couscous (steamed semolina grains served with vegetables and meat) and harira (a hearty soup made with lentils, Chickpeas, Tomatoes, And spices). Visitors can find these dishes at local restaurants or street food vendors. Fès is a city that offers something for everyone – from those interested in exploring ancient architecture to those who just want to enjoy the delicious cuisine. With its vibrant atmosphere and welcoming locals, It’s no wonder why so many tourists flock to this Moroccan gem every year.

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1. Fes el Bali (Old Medina)
2. Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University
3. Bou Inania Madrasa
4. Dar Batha Museum
5. Chouara Tannery
6. Bab Bou Jeloud Gate
7. Borj Nord Museum
8. Merenid Tombs
9. Moulay Idriss Mausoleum
10. Nejjarine Museum of Wood Arts and Crafts

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1. Tourism: Fès is a popular tourist destination due to its rich cultural heritage, ancient architecture, and traditional markets.
2. Handicrafts: The city is known for its skilled artisans who produce high-quality leather goods, pottery, textiles, and jewelry.
3. Agriculture: The surrounding region of Fès produces agricultural products such as olives, dates, figs, almonds, and citrus fruits.
4. Education: Fès has several universities and educational institutions that attract students from across the country.
5. Healthcare: The city has a number of hospitals and medical facilities that serve the local population as well as patients from other parts of Morocco.
6. Manufacturing: There are several manufacturing industries in Fès including food processing plants for olive oil production and textile factories producing traditional Moroccan clothing.
7. Service sector: There are many small businesses in the service sector including restaurants, cafes, shops selling souvenirs or offering guided tours around the city’s historical sites.

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1. The founding of the city in the 8th century by Idris I, who is considered to be the founder of Morocco.
2. The establishment of the University of Al Quaraouiyine in Fès in 859 AD, which is recognized as one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world.
3. The reigns of several powerful dynasties, including the Marinids (13th-15th century) and Alaouites (17th-present), who left their mark on Fès through their architectural and cultural contributions.
4. The construction of many famous landmarks such as Bab Boujloud gate, Bou Inania Madrasa, Dar Batha Museum and many more.
5. Notable people associated with Fès include Ibn Battuta (14th century), a famous traveler and explorer; Leo Africanus (16th century), a diplomat and author; Ahmed al-Mansur (16th century), a powerful sultan; Fatima al-Fihriya (9th century), founder of University Al Quaraouiyine among others.
6. Fes has also played an important role in Moroccan politics throughout history being one among four imperial cities that have served as capital for various dynasties over time.
7. In modern times, Fes has become known for its vibrant arts scene including music festivals such as Festival de la Musique Sacrée de Fès which attracts musicians from all over Africa.
8. Lastly but not leastly, Fes is also known for its traditional crafts like pottery making which are still practiced today by local artisans preserving centuries-old techniques passed down through generations.

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1. Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University
2. Bab Boujloud
3. Bou Inania Madrasa
4. Dar Batha Museum
5. Chouara Tannery
6. Royal Palace of Fès
7. Borj Nord Museum
8. Attarine Medersa
9. Nejjarine Museum of Wood Arts and Crafts
10. Jardin Jnan Sbil

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• Fès, Morocco has no professional sports teams with significant histories.
• However, there are several amateur and local teams that participate in various sports such as:
• Football (soccer)
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• These teams often compete in regional tournaments and leagues within the city of Fès.
• Some notable amateur teams include:
• Club Sportif de Fès (football)
• Club Olympique de Fès (basketball)
• Association Sportive des Forces Armées Royales de Fès (volleyball)

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Cultural Events

1. Fes Festival of World Sacred Music is a renowned cultural event that takes place every June in Fès. It celebrates the diversity of spiritual music and cultures with performances by musicians and artists from around the world.
2. Moussem Moulay Idriss Zerhoun is a religious festival that honors Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, the founder of Fès. It includes traditional music, dance, and horse racing and takes place in August.
3. Festival des Cerises or Cherry Festival takes place annually in May to celebrate the cherry harvest season. The streets are filled with cherry vendors, and there are various cultural events such as traditional music performances.
4. Sufi Nights are musical evenings held during Ramadan at various locations throughout Fès featuring Sufi music performances by local artists.
5. Festival de la Culture Amazighe celebrates Amazigh culture with traditional music, dance, food stalls selling local cuisine and handicrafts.
6. Tanjazz – Jazz au Chellah is a jazz festival that takes place in Tangier but worth mentioning as it’s just over an hour away from Fès by train! It brings together international jazz musicians for concerts held at historic venues such as the Kasbah Museum or Dar Souiri.
7. Festival International de la Musique Universitaire de Fès brings together university students from around Morocco to perform classical and folkloric music on stage at different venues throughout town for several days each spring.

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Cuisine

1. Tagine – a slow-cooked stew made with meat or vegetables and spices.
2. Couscous – a dish made with steamed semolina grains, vegetables, and meat.
3. Harira – a hearty soup made with lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, herbs, and spices.
4. Pastilla – a savory pastry filled with pigeon meat or chicken mixed with almonds and cinnamon.
5. Msemen – a flaky Moroccan pancake that is often served for breakfast or as an appetizer.
6. Chez Rachid Restaurant – one of the most popular restaurants in Fès serving traditional Moroccan dishes such as tagines and couscous.
7. Restaurant Dar Hatim – known for its romantic atmosphere and authentic Moroccan cuisine like pastilla.
8. Cafe Clock Fes – serves delicious vegetarian food such as falafel wraps & salads along with live music performances on weekends
9. La Maison Bleue – A luxurious restaurant serving delectable Morrocan cuisine in an elegant setting
10. Riad Rcif – A beautiful courtyard restaurant offering traditional Morrocan dishes like tagines & couscous

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Parks and Recreation

1. Jardin Jnan Sbil: A beautiful public garden located in the heart of the city.
2. Boujloud Square: A popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, known for its vibrant atmosphere and street performances.
3. Borj Nord Park: A large public park with stunning views of the city and surrounding mountains.
4. Royal Golf de Fès: An 18-hole golf course located just outside the city center.
5. Hammam Moulay Yacoub: A natural hot spring spa located just outside of Fès, known for its therapeutic properties.
6. Medina Walking Tour: Explore the winding streets and historic architecture of Fès’ ancient medina on foot with a guided tour.
7. Tanneries Visit: Learn about traditional leather tanning techniques at one of Fès’ famous tanneries.
8. Cooking Classes: Take a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional Moroccan dishes like tagine or couscous.
9. Horseback Riding Tours: Enjoy a scenic horseback ride through the countryside surrounding Fes.
10. Camel Trekking tours: Take a camel trekking tour through nearby desert terrain.

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Dream, Travel, Repeat.

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