Jewish Cemetery (Miara)

The Jewish Cemetery (Miara) lies in the Mellah of Fes el-Jdid, in Morocco's Fès-Meknès region, adjacent to the Ibn Danan Synagogue. It is a hillside cemetery of whitewashed tombs, used for centuries and still maintained. The tombs spread in neat white rows across the slope, and the open setting gives a quiet contrast to the dense streets of the Mellah. Admission is about MAD 10 and a donation is customary, and the cemetery is open daily from roughly 9am to 5pm, closed on Saturday. A visit takes about 30 minutes. It is reached by following the walls from the main Mellah street, close to the synagogue, so it is usually visited together with it. Morning is the best time, when the light is clear on the white stone and the site is quiet. Visitors are expected to dress modestly, keep to the pathways and behave respectfully, as it is an active burial ground. Men may be asked to cover their head, and a caretaker may be present to guide visitors. Photography of the overall setting is generally accepted, but visitors should be careful not to stand on or touch graves, and should ask the caretaker about any restrictions. The ground is uneven and dusty, and shade is limited, so water and sun protection are useful in summer. A local guide can explain the burial customs and the history of notable families buried here.