Fes

Fes

Fes, a historic capital of Morocco, is located in the northern part of the country on a plateau at an altitude of 410 meters at the northern foothills of the Middle Atlas Mountains. It lies 190 kilometers west of the capital Rabat and sits at the crossroads of eastern, western, and northern regions. As the earliest established Arab city on Moroccan soil, it boasts a history of over 2,800 years and is regarded as one of the holy cities of Islam.

Fes was founded in 808 BC. It is said that Idris II, the great-grandson of the founder of Islam, Prophet Muhammad, and the king of Morocco’s first dynasty, rebuilt the city in the 8th century on the site destroyed by the Vandals. The name “Fes” evolved from “Fas.” In Arabic, “Fas” means “golden axe.” Legend has it that when Idris II presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the city, he discovered a massive golden axe facing the direction of the holy city of Mecca. Taking this as a propitious omen, he immediately named the city “Fas,” which later became “Fes” and has remained in use to this day. Upon the completion of the city, Idris II designated it as the capital of Morocco’s first Islamic dynasty — the Idrisid Dynasty. In Arabic, “Fas” also means “fertile land” and “pickaxe.” Since Fes is built in a small valley surrounded by hills covered with lush olive trees, beyond which lies an endless plain crisscrossed by streams with gurgling waters, the area enjoys a pleasant climate, rich vegetation that stays green all year round, abundant produce, and thus earned the name “fertile land.” As for the origin of the name “pickaxe”: One day, Idris II showed his people a pickaxe resembling a bird’s beak. As locals had never seen such a tool before, they were amazed. He ordered them to try using it to till the land to test its usefulness. They found it efficient and effective, praising it highly. The tool soon spread among the people and was widely adopted. To commemorate this meaningful discovery, the city where Idris II lived was called “Fas,” today’s “Fes.” Fes is renowned worldwide for its exquisite Islamic architectural art. The ancient city, established in 808 BC, covers an area of 300 hectares with narrow, winding streets. Shops and workshops line both sides of the streets, with some goods displayed right outside. The districts are strictly pedestrian, and sometimes even stepping into shops is necessary to make way for others — motor vehicles are not allowed. The main modes of transport are horses, donkeys, or flatbed carts. The architectural style of the area, along with the customs and lifestyles of its residents, still strongly reflect a medieval character. The old city is filled with historical sites, all well-preserved and maintained. It is recorded that during the height of Islam in the 12th century, the city had 785 mosques, and it is said that over 360 still remain today. Among them, the most famous are the Karaouine Mosque, which features 270 columns, and the Andalusian Mosque, one of the oldest in Morocco. Other landmarks showcasing Islamic architectural artistry, such as ancient castles, palaces, and museums, can also be found throughout the city. The University of al-Qarawiyyin in the city is a prestigious institution dedicated to Islamic studies and research. Established in 859 AD, its library houses hundreds of thousands of Islamic books, including more than 8,000 precious manuscripts. It is the oldest existing degree-granting university in the world, predating Oxford University by 390 years and the University of Paris by 291 years. This renowned university originally started as a mosque, with the earliest teaching method involving scholars explaining the Quran to worshippers. Additionally, the tomb of Idris II, the founder of Fes, holds great appeal for visitors from around the world. Springs can be found throughout the city and are considered “holy water.” The new city was built in 1276, featuring prominent European architectural styles, forming a striking contrast with the old city. Its streets are wide and straight, lined with trees and blooming flowers, and flanked by high-rise buildings such as hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, office buildings, and banks. The urban area bustles with vibrant activity and prosperity. There are many famous historical and cultural sites around Fes. Two castles built on the hills to the south and north during the Saadian Dynasty of the 16th century still stand intact and are highly visible. The castle on the northern hill has been converted into an armory museum, displaying swords, sabers, firearms, and other weapons crafted throughout Moroccan history or gifted by foreign countries. Among them is a sword inscribed with Chinese characters, said to have been a gift from an ancient Chinese emperor to a Moroccan king, indicating a long history of friendly exchanges between the Chinese and Moroccan peoples.

Fes has a population of about 400,000. Its suburbs feature numerous orchards and olive groves, presenting a lush and enchanting scenery. Fes is not only an important hub for agricultural and livestock products in northern Morocco, but also boasts rapidly developing industries such as flour milling, wood processing, and textiles, along with convenient transportation.

Rabat, Morocco