http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fes



1. Bab Boujloud, built in 1912 is the main entrance to the medina. Its magnificent, I love Islamic art.



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3. Apparently Fes medina is the largest car-free urban area in the World, traffic here is donkeys, feet and odd scooter.



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5. One of many mosques with the typically ornate entrance.



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6. These geometric patterns are simply amazing, Id like to see how its all done.




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7. One of many rather scary looking alleyways leading to residential buildings.



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9. Industrial area of the old Fes is not very pretty. This is also where the famous tanneries are located, however I didnt visit them.



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10. Bab Rcif.



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12. Resident chicken, this was taken just round the corner from the hostel I was staying in.



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13. Pretty impressive gateway with a street market.




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18. I really dont know what this is (probably a mosque) or where it is, by this time we were somewhat lost, but it is impressive.



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19. I know what this is, though, its The Madrasa Bou Inania, founded 1351–56, its the only madrasa in Fes with a minaret. Its absolutely stunning.



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23. A new mosque, but still very beautiful.



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24. A woman praying in a cemetery, you can see the city walls in the background.



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25. After hours spent looking for a way out of the medina it was time to head for the hills to the north of the city and the terrace of Hotel Les Merinides which serves beer and has stunning views, one can just sit there relax and watch the city, its pretty cool when the call to prayer starts.



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27. Its very, very dense...




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33. A wide-angle take on the medina.



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35. There are some green spaces too.



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37. The view from the famous Clock Cafe.



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39. The water clock which also goes by the name of Dar al-Magana, it was built in 1357(!). This is what wikipedia has to say about it - "The clock consists of 13 windows and platforms carrying brass bowls. The motion of the clock was presumably maintained by a kind of small cart which ran from left to right behind the twelve doors. At one end, the cart was attached to a rope with a hanging weight; at the other end to a rope with a weight that floated on the surface of a water reservoir that was drained at a regular pace. Each hour one of the doors opened; at the same time a metal ball was dropped into one of the twelve brass bowls. The rafters sticking out of the building above the doors supported a small roof to shield the doors and bowls." Fantastic stuff!



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46. Dar el-Ghalia riad, its both hotel and a restaurant.



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47. This is what many of the riads look like, obviously the size and the level of decoration differ, but the general plan is more or less the same. Reminds me of Roman peristyle houses.




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48. Once youre out in the streets its pretty claustrophobic though, the streets are narrow to make sure the sun doesnt reach them and thus it stays nice and cool.



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51. Markets, markets and more markets, indeed the whole city is one big market, pretty exciting.



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54. This is area where they make pottery.




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55. This is woodworking area, I think, although the guy in the archway is carrying dried skins. Nice ancient window in the background there.



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57. Jewish quarter or Mellah, characterised by the buildings with their wooden balconies. Very few jews live here nowdays, but the area is full of jewellery shops. It dates to around 15th century!



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61. Royal Palace of Fes, behinds these impressive gates there are 80 hectares of gardens and mosques and even its own madrasa.




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63. And this is my hostel (Funky Fes its called), which was fantastic. I met some nice people there and the food on offer was just magical!



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65. Resident cat.



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