Ibn Danan Synagogue and Mellah

The Ibn Danan Synagogue stands in the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter of Fès el-Jdid in Morocco. The Mellah was established in 1438 under the Marinid dynasty, when the Jewish community of Fès was relocated next to the royal palace, and it became a dense neighbourhood of tall houses with wooden balconies, in contrast to the inward-facing houses of the Muslim medina. The synagogue is named after the Ibn Danan family, a prominent family of rabbis and scholars, and is generally dated to the 17th century. It was in use for centuries until the departure of most of the Jewish community in the 20th century, after which it fell into disrepair. A restoration led by the Moroccan Ministry of Culture and supported by the Foundation of Jewish Cultural Heritage in Morocco and other partners reopened it as a heritage site and museum. The building is arranged around a central courtyard, with a hall of prayer that retains its raised reader's platform, an ark and a women's gallery, and it also includes a ritual bath, or mikveh, in the lower level. Decoration includes carved cedar, plasterwork, tilework and painted ceilings, in a style that parallels Muslim architecture of the same period. Exhibits show liturgical objects and photographs of the community's history. Admission is about 20 MAD, and the synagogue is typically open from 9:00 to 17:00 on most days, but it closes on Saturdays for the Sabbath. The old Jewish cemetery, with its whitewashed tombs, lies a short walk away and is often combined with a visit. Modest dress is recommended, and photography may be restricted in some rooms.