The Mellah and Ibn Danan Synagogue

The Mellah is the Jewish quarter of Fes el-Jdid, in Morocco's Fès-Meknès region, established in 1438 beside the royal palace. It is recognised by its brick and wood balconies that face the street, unlike the inward-facing houses of Muslim districts. The main street, Rue Ibn Danan, is signposted from Place des Alaouites, about a 10-minute walk, and passes shops, old houses and the covered market. The key visit is the Ibn Danan Synagogue, a 17th-century building restored and reopened in 2013. Visitors see the prayer hall, the women's gallery and a ritual bath (mikveh), and the building is now maintained as a museum of Moroccan Jewish heritage. Admission is MAD 20 for adults and children, and the site is open daily from roughly 9am to 5pm, closed on Saturday. A visit to the synagogue and a stroll along the main street takes about an hour. Morning is the best time for light and quiet streets. The adjacent Jewish cemetery can be added to the same route. Visitors should dress modestly and treat the synagogue as a place of heritage with respect. Photography is generally allowed in the synagogue, but visitors should check with the attendant. The balconied houses along the street offer the best photographs, taken from the street itself. Some lanes are narrow and uneven, and some buildings are in poor repair. A local guide can explain the history of the Jewish community in Fes and its crafts, including gold and silver work and trade.