Borj Nord and Museum of Arms

Borj Nord is a Saadian fortress on a hill above Fes el-Bali, in Morocco's Fès-Meknès region, built in 1582 by Ahmad al-Mansur to watch over the old city. It now houses the Museum of Arms, with weapons from across Moroccan and European history, including cannons, swords, firearms and armour. The fortress rooms are arranged around courtyards, and the ramparts give views over the medina and the surrounding hills. Admission is MAD 20 for adults and children, and it is open daily from roughly 9am to 4:30pm, though visitors should confirm hours at the gate. A visit takes about 45 minutes. A petit taxi from Bab Bou Jeloud costs about MAD 15-20, and the walk up is steep. Morning gives a clear view over the medina, and the light is better for photographs from the ramparts before haze builds. The site is quiet compared with the medina, and crowds are rarely an issue. The collection is of most interest to those who enjoy military history, and labels may be limited, so a guide adds context. The ramparts are the main reason many visitors come, since the view shows the layout of the old city, the minarets and the surrounding Merenid Hills. Ramparts have uneven surfaces and low edges in places, so visitors should take care with children. Shade is limited in the courtyards, so sun protection helps in summer. It can be combined with the Merenid Tombs on the next hill by taxi.