First founded in 789 by Idriss I, the official foundation of Fès took part in 808 by his son Idriss and since 1976 it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In 859 the University of Al-Karaouine was founded, which is the oldest continuously functioning madrasah in the world and makes Fès the religious centre of Morocco.
Marokko © Marlies Gebauer
Fès is divided up into three parts the old town (Fès-el-Bali), the new town (Fès-el-Djedid) and the part that was built during the French protectorate, the Ville Nouvelle. In the old town you can wander through souks and alleys, that are unchanged since the Middle Ages. One monument you should really visit is the Bou Inania Medersa, with its cedar woodwork, its sculptured stucco and its marble and onyx decoration. Particularly interesting are the instrument makers’ souk, the cabinetmakers’ souk and the kissaria where jewellery and fine fabrics are on sale.
From Fès you should go on an excursion to the ruined city of Volubilis and to the nearby Meknès. Volubilis is said to be the mystic capital of Mauritania, but there is no proof to it. After the Romans the Arabs came to Volubilis. After being destructed in an earthquake in the 18th century the city was abandoned at last.
Meknès is another of the imperial cities and strongly affected by the Alaouite sultan Moulay Ismaël who wanted to make Meknès one of the most beautiful and powerful imperial cities. Still today it is protected by 40 kilometres of walls and has preserved imposing monuments and mosques. It is nicknamed ‘city of the hundred minarets’. The Great Mosque, which probably was founded in the 12th century, is famous for its gates.
When you arrive in Marrakesh you can easily step back in time. Between the souk and the Koutoubia Mosque, with its splendid minaret, the Jemma el Fna Square is located. Here you can see hundreds of dealers, fortune tellers, jugglers and snake charmers but also pickpockets and cheaters. You simply have to experience the narrow alleyways of the souk yourself; they will enchant you in no time with their colour, atmosphere and smells.
Essaouira Harbour © flickr/The UltiMatt
A sightseeing tour in Marrakesh you should do in a horse drawn carriage or by bike. Must sees are the Saadian Tombs, the numerous palaces, like the El Bahia Palace, the museums and the magnificents gardens. In the beautiful ‘Jardin Majorelle’ you can find peace after a day in the busy city and simply enjoy your stay.
On a trip to the Ourika Valley with its ditches, fruit and nut trees you can enjoy a traditional tea drinking ceremony in one of the Berber villages.
The coastal town of Essaouira with the picturesque fishing harbour has become a home for many artists and some of the country’s most famous craftsmen. At the end of the morning the boats return with their baskets full of fish and you should really try the grilled sardines or small lobsters in this very special atmosphere. From the Squala of the Kasbash, the artillery platform of the ramparts, you have a great view of the medina, the harbour and the ocean.
Essaouira also has beautiful sandy beaches where you can go for a swim in the Atlantic Ocean before you go back to the starting point of this round trip, to Casablanca.
