A sacred city of Islam, Fez is the oldest of Morocco’s four imperial cities and the country’s third-largest. It was once the capital of Morocco, but later flourished as an educational and cultural center, attracting scholars and artisans. (...)
A sacred city of Islam, Fez is the oldest of Morocco’s four imperial cities and the country’s third-largest. It was once the capital of Morocco, but later flourished as an educational and cultural center, attracting scholars and artisans. The work of these artisans is showcased in the intricate marble, wood, and tile decorations of the city’s numerous madrassa buildings, which are concealed by their simple brick and timber construction.
The Sahrij and Sabaiyin Madrassas were commissioned in 1321 and 1323, respectively, as connected boarding houses in which scholars could live, study, and pray in close proximity to the important religious center of the Andalous Mosque. Today, the madrassas are plagued by mold and vegetation growth, resulting from poor drainage and ground water infiltration. Frequent seismic tremors have split floors and separated walls. Masonry columns buckle dangerously into the central court of Sahrij, which has destroyed the veneer of the decorative plaster and carved wood. While the Sahrij still houses some scholars, the Sabaiyin is sealed to keep out squatters.
