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Fès el Bali (Fès Medina) Description: Fès is the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities, founded shortly after the Arabs first entered North Africa in the eighth century AD. Its medina, the ancient quarter or the old city, is also the largest medina in Morocco, an enchanting, winding, medieval maze of mosques, food markets and covered bazaars filled with crafts, such as metalwork objects and rugs. The Souk Dabbaghin houses the tanneries where leather has been dyed for hundreds of years. Today, this traditional craft is still practised and visitors can see the huge vats of dye and the coloured leather that is laid out to dry in the sun. The medina is also home to the Al-Qarawiyin Theological University, founded in AD 857, which is the oldest university in the western world; unfortunately non-Muslim visitors are not permitted to enter. The Medersa Bou Inania was founded in 1350 as a rival to the Al-Qarawiyin University and is a splendid example of Andalusian architecture. Visitors can enter the courtyard around which the students used to live, to admire the patterned tilework decorated with extracts from the Koran. Contact Addresses: For more information on Fès Medina, contact the Moroccan National Tourist Office in London (see Tourist Information above). Transportation: Air: Casablanca Mohammed V Airport or Saïss Airport. Rail: Train: Fès Station. Road: Car: Route de Immouzel (from Saïss Airport). Opening Times: Daily 24 hours. Admission Fees: Free. 
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