Fès el-Jdid and Royal Palace Gates

Fès el-Jdid, or New Fès, is the walled royal quarter founded in 1276 by the Marinid dynasty to the west of the old medina of Fès in Morocco. The district holds the Dar al-Makhzen, the royal palace, whose monumental gateway of seven large brass doors set in blue-and-gold zellige and carved cedar is the main draw for visitors. The palace interior is closed to the public, so a visit centres on the gates, which can be seen and photographed at any time from the large forecourt off Rue Boukhessissat. Morning is the best time to photograph the brass doors in direct light, when the gleam of the metal and the colours of the tile are strongest and few other people are present. Beyond the gates, the quarter repays a short walk. The Grand Rue de Fès el-Jdid is a busy commercial street with shops, bakeries and a lively local atmosphere, and the old Mellah, the historic Jewish quarter, begins nearby, with its distinctive balconies and the Ibn Danan Synagogue. Visitors can combine the gates with the Mellah and the Jewish cemetery in a single outing of 45 to 60 minutes, longer if lingering in the streets. Guards are posted at the palace, and photographers should avoid pointing cameras at officials or security staff. There is no entry fee. Petit taxis from the Ville Nouvelle or Batha cost about 10 to 15 MAD, and the walk from Bab Bou Jeloud takes around 20 minutes. Midday can be hot and the forecourt has little shade, so early or late visits are more comfortable.