Fès-Meknès is a region of north-central Morocco that holds two of the country's four imperial cities: Fès, home to the world's largest living medieval medina and the oldest university in continuous operation, and Meknès, the 17th-century capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Between and around them lie the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the holy hilltop town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, the cedar forests and lakes of the Middle Atlas around Ifrane and Azrou, and the cherry-growing towns of Sefrou and Bhalil.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Fès-Meknès.
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1
Roman Mauretania and Volubilis
Juba II rules Mauretania as a Roman client king and Volubilis grows as a major inland town; Mauretania Tingitana becomes a province after 40 AD.
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2
Roman Withdrawal
Rome pulls back its administration from most of Mauretania Tingitana, but Volubilis continues as a Latin-speaking Berber town for centuries.
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3
Idris I Arrives
Idris ibn Abdallah, a descendant of the Prophet, settles at Volubilis and founds the Idrisid dynasty, the first Moroccan Arab-Muslim state.
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4
Founding of Fès
Idris I founds Fès on the east bank of the Oued Fès (789) and his son Idris II founds the western bank quarter in 808.
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5
Al-Qarawiyyin Founded
Fatima al-Fihri founds the Qarawiyyin mosque and learning centre, which becomes the centre of Fès' intellectual life.
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6
Almoravid Rule
The Almoravids unite the two banks of Fès and rule the region from Marrakech.
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7
Almohad Rule
The Almohads capture Fès and Meknès; Taza's Grand Mosque is enlarged in the 12th century.
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8
Marinid Dynasty
Marinid sultans make Fès their capital and build madrasas (Attarine 1325, Bou Inania 1355). Fès el-Jdid is founded in 1276.
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9
Mellah of Fès
The Jewish community is relocated to a new Mellah quarter beside the royal city at Fès el-Jdid.
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10
Borj Nord
Saadian sultan Ahmad al-Mansour builds the Borj Nord fortress above Fès.
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11
Moulay Ismail and Imperial Meknès
Alaouite sultan Moulay Ismail makes Meknès his capital and builds 40 km of walls, Bab Mansour, granaries and palaces.
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12
Treaty of Fez
Morocco becomes a French protectorate; Fès is the capital until the French move the residency to Rabat. The Ville Nouvelle of Fès and Meknès is laid out.
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13
Independence
Morocco regains independence from France.
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14
UNESCO Recognition
Fès el-Bali (1981), Meknès (1996) and Volubilis (1997) are inscribed as World Heritage sites.
Historical sites
Places where Fès-Meknès's past comes alive.
Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University
Oldest continuously operating university in the world according to UNESCO and Guinness; founded by Fatima al-Fihri in 859.
Where: Fès el-Bali
Admission: Exterior only (Muslims only inside)
Bou Inania Madrasa (Fès)
Built by Abu Inan, the courtyard of cedar, stucco and zellige is the largest and finest of the Marinid madrasas.
Where: Fès el-Bali
Admission: 20 MAD (approx $2.15)
Al-Attarine Madrasa
Small, jewel-like madrasa beside the Qarawiyyin built by Abu Said, with mosaic zellige and carved cedar.
Where: Fès el-Bali
Admission: 20 MAD (approx $2.15)
Chouara Tannery
One of the oldest tanneries in the world still working by traditional methods.
Where: Fès el-Bali
Admission: Free (tip 20-50 MAD)
Dar Batha Museum
Hispano-Moorish palace of Sultan Hassan I, a museum since 1915.
Where: Fès
Admission: 20 MAD (approx $2.15)
Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts
A restored caravanserai now holding woodcraft collections.
Where: Fès el-Bali
Admission: 20 MAD (approx $2.15)
Borj Nord
Hilltop fortress built by Ahmad al-Mansour to watch over Fès; now a museum of arms.
Where: Fès
Admission: 20 MAD (approx $2.15)
Merenid Tombs
Ruined Marinid royal tombs overlooking the city.
Where: Fès
Admission: Free
Ibn Danan Synagogue and Mellah
The restored synagogue stands in the Mellah, home to Fès' Jewish community since 1438.
Where: Fès el-Jdid
Admission: Approx 20 MAD (approx $2.15)
Bab Mansour
The ceremonial gate begun by Moulay Ismail and finished by Moulay Abdallah.
Where: Meknès
Admission: Free
Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
Tomb of the founder of imperial Meknès, open to non-Muslim visitors.
Where: Meknès
Admission: Free
Heri es-Souani
Granaries and stables of Moulay Ismail's imperial city.
Where: Meknès
Admission: 70 MAD (approx $7.55)
Volubilis
UNESCO-listed Roman capital of Mauretania Tingitana with outstanding mosaics.
Where: Near Moulay Idriss
Admission: 70 MAD (approx $7.55)
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
The holy town where Idris I is buried; the Moroccan sultan Moulay Ismail built the current mausoleum in the early 18th century.
Where: Near Meknès
Admission: Free
Taza Grand Mosque and Ramparts
Hilltop town that guarded the corridor between Fès and Algeria.
Where: Taza
Admission: Free
Museums
Curated collections that tell Fès-Meknès's story.