Borj Nord

Borj Nord is a hilltop fortress on the northwest edge of Fès, Morocco, built in 1582 by the Saadian sultan Ahmad al-Mansour al-Dhahabi. Its position gave it a commanding view over the old medina and the Fès el-Jdid district, and it was intended both to defend the city and to keep watch over a population that was often hostile to Saadian rule. Together with the sister fortress Borj Sud, it formed a defensive pair on the hills around the city. The structure is a solid, square-plan fort with thick walls, a central courtyard and bastions designed to carry artillery, including cannon introduced to Morocco in the 16th century. The architecture is functional rather than decorative, in contrast to the ornamental madrasas of the medina. Over the centuries it served as a barracks, a military depot and a storehouse. Since 1963 it has housed the Museum of Arms, which presents a collection of Moroccan and European weaponry. The exhibits include swords, daggers, muskets, pistols, cannon, helmets and armour from several periods, and a number of items are thought to have come from European gifts and diplomatic exchanges. The displays are arranged by type of weapon and region of origin, and some items date from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The fortress has been repaired and restored by the Moroccan heritage authorities, and its terrace is a popular viewpoint over the city. Admission is about 20 MAD, and it is open daily from roughly 8:30 to 16:30. The best views are in the late afternoon, when the light falls on the medina, and the walk up from the Borj Nord road is manageable for most visitors. A visit takes 45 minutes to an hour.