History of FEZ
Where is Fez?
Modern day Fez was founded in 789 by Idriss I on the Jawhar River that runs through the city. It is in the north of the country sandwiched between the Rif Mountains and Middle Atlas Mountains. Within 50 years there were two large waves of immigrants that came to form settlements, one on each side of the river. 800 families from Andalusia arrived and settled what is today “Old Fez” while 2000 families banned from Kariouan Tunisia formed New Fez or al-Aliya. This would later become an issue as the Caliphate of Cordoba and Caliphate of Tunisia contested who ruled the city. By 1070 it was resolved as the Almoravid dynasty united the city both figuratively and literally as they broke down the walls that divided the settlements and united it into one medina.
FEZ
The Growth of Fez
From 1170-1180 Fez grew to become one of the largest cities in the world and the city walls that were put up during this time still form the outline of Fez el Bali today. From 1271 to 1357 huge strides were made especially in education as seven madrasas (schools) were built in Fez and it became a center of Islamic education.
Many people visit Fez to see the Jewish quarter. The mellah was built in 1438 near the royal palace and exists today.
Other dynasties would follow; the Marinid, Wattasid, Saadians and nearly the Ottoman Empire. From 1649 Fez was an important trading post on the Barbary Coast and was the only source of “fezzes” the signature red, tassled hats until the 19th century. The red color comes from a berry that grows outside the city. In 1790 it became independent and by 1795 control returned to the kingdom of Morocco where it was the capital until 1925. It was the 1912 Treaty of Fez that made Morocco a protectorate under French control.
In the 20th century a new area of Fez grew out of the French protectorate, the Ville Nouvelle. In 1981 UNESCO designated the medina of Fez as a world heritage sight and the famous World Sacred Music Festival began in 1994.
