Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
moravids. When that dynasty fell from power around 1154, they fled Fez and destroyed
the city walls as they went. Only when the succeeding Almohad dynasty was assured of
the Fassis' loyalty were the walls replaced - large sections still date from this period.
Fez continued to be a crucial crossroads, wielding intellectual rather than political influ-
ence. With the Kairaouine Mosque and University already well established, it was the
centre of learning and culture in an empire stretching from Spain to Senegal. It recovered
its political status only much later, with the arrival of the Merenid dynasty around 1250.
During the 19th century, as central power crumbled and European interference in-
creased, the distinction between Marrakesh and Fez diminished, with both effectively
serving as capitals of a fragmented country. Fez retained its status as the spiritual capital.
It was here, on 30 March 1912, that the treaty introducing the French and Spanish protect-
orates over Morocco was signed. Less than three weeks later, rioting and virtual revolt
against the new masters served as a reminder of the city's volatility.
The French may have moved the political capital to Rabat, but Fez remains a constitu-
ency to be reckoned with.
As one of Morocco's most traditional cities, Fez is generally regarded with a certain
amount of awe, perhaps tinged with jealousy, by the rest of the country. Indeed, a dispro-
portionate share of Morocco's intellectual and economic elite hail from here and it's a
widely held belief (especially among Fassis) that anyone born in Fez medina is more reli-
gious, cultured, artistic and refined; that the king's wife, Princess Lalla Salma is from Fez,
and the royal family spend much time here is a source of great pride for the city.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search