Blue facade
Fes-coloured zellij.
Dan Lundberg — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ideophagous — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Steconste — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mike Prince from Bangalore, India — CC BY 2.0 · Bjørn Christian Tørrissen — CC BY-SA 3.0 · JasmineartGallery — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Michal Osmenda from Brussels, Belgium — CC BY-SA 2.0 · LBM1948 — CC BY-SA 4.0
The most famous and beautiful gate of Fes, known as the Blue Gate and the main entrance to Fes el Bali from the west. The present gate was built by the French Protectorate authorities in 1913 as a ceremonial entrance to the old city, on the site of a plain older gate. It has three horseshoe arches; its outer face is clad in blue zellij, the traditional colour of Fes, while its inner face is covered in green zellij, all topped by crenellations. Through its central arch the minarets of the Bou Inania Madrasa and the Sidi Lezzaz Mosque appear in one of the best-known views of Fes. The gate opens onto Place Bou Jeloud, busy with cafés, food carts, buses and petits taxis, and from it the Tala'a Kebira and Tala'a Seghira streets run through the medina, lined with restaurants serving pastilla and harira. Viewing is free, and the area is busy day and night. The best photos are in the morning when the sun lights the blue facade; the Jnan Sbil gardens and the Batha Museum are close by.
Fes-coloured zellij.
The classic Fes shot.
Cafés and food.
Place Bou Jeloud, western entrance to Fes el Bali
Bou Inania MadrasaA madrasa built by the Marinid sultan Abu Inan Faris between 1350 and 1355, coun2 minutes walk
Al Batha Museum of Islamic ArtsA former royal palace between Fes el Bali and Fes el-Jdid, commissioned by Sulta2 minutes walk
Jnan Sbil GardensA historic public garden between Fes el Bali and Fes el-Jdid, created by Sultan 6 minutes walk
Fes el Bali (Old Medina)The oldest part of Fes, founded by the Idrisids as their capital between 789 and8 minutes walk
Nejjarine Museum of Wooden ArtsA historic funduq, an inn for merchants and travellers, in the heart of Fes el B10 minutes walkBlue is said to be the traditional colour of Fes on the outside and green the colour of Islam on the inside, joining the city's identity and spirit.