Golden doors
Gleaming worked brass.
Josep Renalias — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Holger Uwe Schmitt — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dickelbers — CC BY-SA 3.0 · User:China_Crisis — CC BY-SA 2.5 · Yamen — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Yamen — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cate91 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Yamen — CC BY-SA 4.0
The palace of the King of Morocco in Fes, known as Dar al-Makhzen, whose foundation goes back to the building of Fes el-Jdid as a Marinid royal city in 1276 by Sultan Abu Yusuf Yaqub. Most of what stands today dates from the Alawi era, between the seventeenth and twentieth centuries. The palace covers vast grounds of private palaces, courtyards and gardens that are not open to visitors, but what everyone sees is its huge set of gates on Place des Alaouites, twentieth-century gateways with gleaming golden brass doors finely worked, framed by columns and arches clad in blue and green zellij and carved cedar. These gates are among the most photographed places in Fes, and look their best in the morning light when the golden doors shine. The Mellah, the walls of Fes el-Jdid and the broad square in front of the palace are close by. The palace is not open inside; viewing and photographing it from the square are free. Guards stand at the gates, so follow their instructions and keep the distance they allow.
Gleaming worked brass.
Colourful arches.
The photo spot.
Place des Alaouites, Fes el-Jdid, Fes
Mellah and Ibn Danan SynagogueThe historic quarter of the Moroccan Jews of Fes, in Fes el-Jdid beside the Roya2 minutes walk
Jnan Sbil GardensA historic public garden between Fes el Bali and Fes el-Jdid, created by Sultan 11 minutes walk
Al Batha Museum of Islamic ArtsA former royal palace between Fes el Bali and Fes el-Jdid, commissioned by Sulta16 minutes walk
Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate)The most famous and beautiful gate of Fes, known as the Blue Gate and the main e16 minutes walk
Bou Inania MadrasaA madrasa built by the Marinid sultan Abu Inan Faris between 1350 and 1355, coun18 minutes walkNo, it is a private royal palace closed to visitors; people enjoy and photograph its famous gates from the square.