Green pyramid roof
Over the tomb, on the medina skyline.
Casual Builder — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Michal Osmenda from Brussels, Belgium — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Aicha Adoui — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Yamen — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Casual Builder — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Zawiya of Moulay Idris II, in the heart of Fes el Bali, holds the tomb of Idris II (died 828), the Idrisid ruler whom tradition credits with founding Fes. Revered as the city's patron saint, he draws pilgrims from all over Morocco to one of its holiest shrines. A green-tiled pyramidal roof and the medina's tallest minaret mark it on the skyline. Most sources hold that Idris II was buried in the mosque beside his residence, later called the Shurafa Mosque, which was neglected once his dynasty lost power. After its roof and walls collapsed in 1308, his descendants rebuilt it. In 1437, during repairs, a body was found and accepted by the scholars of the day as his, though modern historians doubt the details. Sultan Moulay Ismail rebuilt the complex in 1717–1720, minaret and tomb chamber included; the latest restoration ran from 2011 to 2014. Wooden bars across the lanes, which you duck under, mark the horm, the sacred precinct: until the French arrived early in the 20th century, non-Muslims and pack animals could go no further, and any Muslim inside could claim asylum from arrest. Only Muslims enter today, but anyone may look in from the doors, at the courtyard's marble fountain or, through the cedar doors on the west side, towards the tomb. Stalls nearby sell sweets and nougat. The medina is car-free: taxis stop at Place R'cif, about 300 m south-east as the crow flies. Nejjarine Square, al-Qarawiyyin and the Attarine and Cherratine madrasas all lie within about 120 m. Allow 15 to 30 minutes.
Over the tomb, on the medina skyline.
Wooden beams marking the sacred precinct.
A south-wall window where passers-by pray.
Heart of Fes el Bali, near Nejjarine Square
Al-Attarine MadrasaA small, exquisite madrasa built by the Marinid sultan Abu Said Uthman II betwee1 minute walk4.4
Nejjarine Museum of Wooden ArtsA historic funduq, an inn for merchants and travellers, in the heart of Fes el B1 minute walk4.6
Cherratine MadrasaCherratine Madrasa, a students' college in central Fes el Bali, was founded in 11 minute walk
Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and UniversityOne of the oldest and most famous mosques of the Islamic world, founded by Fatim2 minutes walk4.5
Fes el Bali (Old Medina)The oldest part of Fes, founded by the Idrisids as their capital between 789 and3 minutes walkSources differ: in the 10th century Musa ibn Abi al-Afiya, the Miknasa Berber chief who took Fes and drove out the Idrisids, denied it and spread the story that Idris II lay beside his father in the town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, about 50 km west. The remains found here in 1437 were accepted as his, and the shrine's prestige grew from then on.
The city's most important moussem, or saint's festival, known locally as the moussem of Moulay Idris al-Azhar: craft guilds and religious brotherhoods process to the shrine with gifts, among them the kiswa, a cloth embroidered with Quranic verses in gold thread that is draped over the tomb. The date varies; the 2022 edition fell in late September.