Fez

Andalus) and those from the Aghlabid Kairouan (present-day Tunisia). This led to the creation of the city’s first two neighborhoods, each with its reference mosque: the Mosque of the Andalusians and the Karaouine, as well as markets and their own fortifications. In addition, hammams, fondouks or inns, and other premises that denote its early dynamism emerged.

With the Almoravid dynasty, which dominated the territory of present-day Morocco, the capital of the new political entity moved to Marrakech, but these rulers (and their successors, the Almohads) always kept this city in mind, improving its defensive infrastructure and mosques.

Around 1250, the Marinids (or Benimerines), originally from the east of the Maghreb, conquered Fez and made it the capital of their sultanate, expanding the city. Thus arose what is known today as Fez el-Jedid or ‘new city’, in contrast to Fez el-Bali or ‘old city’. In this new city, a large royal residence, markets, and, in the following century, the Mellah or Jewish quarter were created.

In fact, the 14th century is considered the period of greatest splendor for the city, especially with the Marinid sultans Abu er-Rabi and Abu Said Othman. Houses and palaces were sumptuously decorated, madrasas (or medersas) were built, commercial ties with the West and Al-Andalus were strengthened, and the University of Karaouine was expanded…

The 15th century, however, was more tumultuous, with civil unrest, leading to dynastic changes in the 16th century: first the Wattasids and then the Saadians, who moved the capital to Marrakech, more stable socially and politically.

But the capital returned to Fez later: it was with the Alaouite dynasty in the 18th century, which led to a new process of transformation in terms of infrastructure and civil and religious buildings, which continued even in the 19th century. In this regard, it is worth mentioning Mulay Ismail (an Alaouite monarch who ruled from nearby Meknes) and, above all, his successor Mulay Abdallah.

However, 1912 is a bittersweet date for Fez: here the establishment of the French Protectorate was agreed upon, which, despite this, led to the transfer of administrations to Rabat, becoming the capital of this new political entity, something that was maintained after the independence of the Kingdom of Morocco in 1956.

Since then, Fez has tried to find its place, both politically and economically, given that its religious and cultural role remains as a benchmark in the country. In this sense, the rise of the textile sector a few decades ago and, currently, the growth of international tourism can be cited.