Founded in 789, after the Moors arrived in Spain and in North Africa, Fes became the religious and cultural epicenter of Morocco. It is home to the oldest university in the world. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981, the city consists of three well defined zones: Fes el-Bali, the heart of the medina; Fes el-Jedid, the site of the Royal Palace and the mellah (Jewish quarter); and the Ville Nouvelle, the modern district developed under the French Protectorate.
The pictures below show a bird's-eye view of the historic medina. Easily distinguishable on the photos are the ramparts that surround the tight and compact city; less visible are the many minarets and the numerous parabolic antennae (satellite dishes).
In the coming days I'll be posting photos of our visit to the medina. We spent an entire day with a wonderful local guide who gave us an exiting tour of this amazing labyrinthine city.
Comments (10)
WOnderful photos. :)
Posted by Leslie | February 2, 2009 11:17 PM
Posted on February 2, 2009 23:17
Wow, beautiful photographs.
Posted by Eden | February 2, 2009 11:45 PM
Posted on February 2, 2009 23:45
Looks lovely and exotic. I bet there are great variations of light and color on these buildings.
Posted by Barb Cabot | February 3, 2009 12:08 AM
Posted on February 3, 2009 00:08
Maria,
These are beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing!
Intersting that Fes is the home of the oldest university.
Posted by Candi | February 3, 2009 1:21 AM
Posted on February 3, 2009 01:21
Beautiful photos! I don't think I have heard of Fes before. Am looking forward to learning more about this area.
Posted by girasoli | February 3, 2009 1:55 AM
Posted on February 3, 2009 01:55
Hi Maria, Fes sounds very interesting with its' different zones. I also enjoyed looking at your wonderful photos of the city views and the surrounding ramparts. I'm looking forward to reading more on this city.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | February 3, 2009 5:40 AM
Posted on February 3, 2009 05:40
It looks like such an exotic and very cool place! I think you were smart to get a local guide...I get the impression that it's even more of a labyrinth than Venice is! Can't wait to read more about your visit...
Posted by Annie | February 3, 2009 6:36 AM
Posted on February 3, 2009 06:36
Fascinating -- I've always wanted to visit Fes (which I wrongly thought was spelled Fez!) It looks so beautiful, your photos are great!
I'm looking forward to seeing your photos from the medina.
BTW, I posted two responses to your comments on my blog about the lovely and talented Luigi Lo Cascio. If you didn't see them, I wanted to thank you for the suggestions and say I've put several on my Ziplist and should be soon receiving "Buongiorno, Notte" (which I think is the Aldo Moro film.)
Posted by sandrac | February 3, 2009 10:53 AM
Posted on February 3, 2009 10:53
Looking forward to more Fes photos!
Posted by Amy | February 3, 2009 12:10 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 12:10
Wow Maria, those are spectacular photos!! Fes sounds really interesting, I can't wait to read more about it!
Posted by Anne | February 3, 2009 5:09 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 17:09