Imperial Cities, Middle Atlas & the East - Morocco - page 619

On emerging from the medersa, turn left (south). After you've passed by the Pâtisserie Kor-
touba the shops come to a sudden end at the walls of the great Kairaouine Mosque & University
( Click here ). The university is one of the world's oldest. Again, non-Muslims can only look through
the main door.
As you proceed along the university walls clockwise, look out for the recently restored, 14th-cen-
tury Funduq Tastawniyine . It served for centuries as a hotel and warehouse for travelling mer-
chants. Continue until the sound of metalworkers leads you into another small and attractive square,
Pl as-Seffarine (Brass-makers' Sq). With the university walls (and the entrance to its library) at
your back, there is the Medersa as-Seffarine on the square's east side. Built in 1280, it is the oldest
medersa in Fez, and the only one still in use.
Pass the medersa and follow the lane, turning left at the mirror stalls. Ahead is the Dyers'
Souq . Walk through the souq into the R'cif market ( Click here ). Explore the market, or take any
left into R'cif Sq where you can catch an onward petit taxi.

Activities
For a luxury experience, there are several guesthouses that offer opulent hammam experi-
ences.
Riad Laaroussa OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP ( 0674 18 76 39; www.riad-laaroussa.com ; 3 Derb
Bechara; hammam & massage Dh660; noon-8pm) , Riad Maison Bleue OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP
( 0535 74 18 39; www.maisonbleue.com/riad-maison-bleue ; Derb el Miter, Ain-Azleten; hammam
Dh500; noon-8pm) , Riad Fès OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP ( 0535 94 76 10; www.riadfes.com ;

1-9pm) , Palais Amani OFFLINE MAP Derb Zerbtana; GOOGLE MAP ( 0535 63 32 09;

10am-7pm) and Le Jardin des www.palaisamani.com ; Derb el Miter, Oued Zhoune; hammam Dh495;

Biehn OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP ( 0664 64 76 79; www.jardindesbiehn.com ; Aqebt Sbaa, Douh;

9am-8pm) all have excellent private spas, with treatments starting at hammam Dh660;

around Dh500.

Hammam Mernissi
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP

HAMMAM

(Derb Serrajine; women 9am-8pm, women tourist package 9am-1pm, men 6-9am & 8pm-midnight)
This old hammam has recently been renovated. It's the only one in the medina that caters
specifically for women tourists with a Dh150 package comprising savon beldi (olive oil
soap) and exfoliation with a kis (coarse glove). A massage will cost Dh50 extra.

Hammam Rihab

HAMMAM