The Holy City of Fez is a jewel of
Spanish-Arabic civilization. Fez does not reveal its secrets
easily. Secretive, shadowy, they need to be discovered little by
little, with reverence. Only in this way can the splendors of
Medrsa architecture be fully appreciated. Only in this way will
the call of the medina tempt you. Bustling with artisans and
merchants, its captivating sounds, fragrances and colors
mesmerize the visitor with a constant swirl of activity. The
city of Moulay Idriss 1st, sanctuary of human and moral
sciences.
The great À
Karaouiyne University bas for eleven centuries been a religions
and intellectual center whose influence bas spread far beyond
the Kingdom's boundaries. In 789, a pick-axe of silver and gold
-"fas" in Arabic - was presented to Idriss 1st to use in tracing
the outlines of the city. Hence the name of the city, which lies
at the far eastern end of the plain of Saïss, bordered to the
south by the hills outlying the Atlas Mountains. Cradle of
religions, cultural and artistic traditions, Fes, the double
city, is the kingdom's spiritual capital. The Andalusia mosque,
dating from the 9th century, and further embellished by
successive rulers, is accessed through a mighty door of sculpted
cedar. An imposing minaret decorated with green faiences crowns
the Rsif Mosque. The Medersas around the Karaouiyne Mosque,
former lodging houses for students coming from outside the city,
attest the importance of its thousand years of history. In the
Medina, a labyrinth of sloping, winding alleyways are crammed
full of stalls and workshops. This is the famed Kissaria -the
commercial center. A multitude of locally produced goods are on
sale in this incredible maze-cotton fabric, silk, brocade work,
slippers, and many more.
The craftsmen of
the El Attarine souks offer the visitor a non-stop spectacle.
For hundreds of years such work bas been regulated by
traditional guilds, ensuring that its quality is worthy of the
city. Each district has its own specialty : cobalt blue enameled
pottery, carpets, wrought iron ... one looks on as the dyer
stirs his yarns, steeped in their multitude of colors, as the
tanner tramples his skins under an open sky -skins that the
leather-worker will eventually adorn with fine gilt for
book-binding . Leaving the souks through the Boujeloud gate with
its decoration of green and blue faiences, the riches contained
in the wonderful Museum of Moroccan Art await one. And the last
marvel of all -the Jamaî Palace, transformed in 1930 into a
luxury hotel, an incomparably elegant structure renowned for the
quality of its cuisine.
La Maison Bleue,
for
those seeking an authentic Moorish residence in the center of
the ancient city, La Maison Bleue is
unbeatable. Owned and managed by the Abbadi family who originate
from Andalusia and still live in a part of the original house.
Mainly decorated in blue zellij (mosaic) and finely decorated
plaster walls and featuring some wonderful original cedar doors
and stained glass windows. There are 3 resplendent suites each
with large double bed, en suite bathroom, television and
telephone. Other features of La Maison Bleue include a
delightful atrium; a reading room and a rooftop terrace with
superb views of the entire medina. An unforgettable experience
of warm hospitality in typical Moroccan style
located in the
heart of the medina . A long corridor leads to an atrium
surrounded by three main salons. On the 1st and 2nd floor are 6
royal suites equipped with television ,air conditioning and a
telephone . At La Maison Bleue you will be, first and foremost,
the guests of a prominent Fassi family in their own home. As
soon as you cross the threshold you will feel as though you've
stepped back in time. After walking down a long corridor, you
will pass through a door opening magically into a sumptuous
atrium decorated with carved cedar and plaster, traditional
zellij mosaic, and stained glass windows. You will be greeted by
a caring and courteous staff dressed in traditional costume. The
Gnouas musicians play traditional instruments such as the oud
(or lute). Enjoy the unique library; where you will find the
spiritual. scientific, and philosophical works of the late head
of the family, the great jurist and astrologer Si Mohammed El
Abbadi. A few steps higher, and you will find yourself on the
rooftop terrace, where you can admire the view of the entire
medina. Our menu includes salads and appetizers chicken ,beef
and lamb tajines, pastilla with milk and almonds, and oranges
with cinnamon and orange flower water. It was built as a family
palace in 1915 by Sidi Mohammed El Abbadi , a famous judge and
astrologer of the times . its location near Bab Boujould Is
ideal, providing you easy walking access to all the monuments of
Fes el jedid and Fes el bali
