Fez 4 - morocco - University karaouiyine of fes

 Some pics from Fez in Morocco

University karaouiyine of fes

(al-Qarawiyyin)... the oldest university in the world ??

It was founded as a mosque by Fatima al-Fihri in 857–859 and subsequently became one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Islamic Golden Age

 

 The Al-Attarine Madrasa (founded in 1323), just north of the Qarawiyyin Mosque

 

Some sources, such as UNESCO and the Guinness World Records, cite al-Qarawiyyin as the oldest university or oldest continually operating higher learning institution in the world (Wikipedia)

The architecture is significant.

Its a mix of Moroccan and Islamic styles

The Uni was founded in 859 by Fatima al-Fihri.... little is known about this woman other than that she 

she migrated  from Qayrawan in Tunisia to Fez, Morocco.

She used an inheritance to build a mosque & religious school which was turned into this university in 1963.

Marinid decoration in the cupola over the vestibule of Bab al-Ward, the central northern gate of the mosque

Fez 3 - Morocco

 Some pics and videos from Morocco

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Fez 2 _ Morocco - leather tanning

 There are 3 tanneries in Fez, Morocco.

The entire leather production process comprises manual labor only.

 

 

The Chouara Tannery is almost a thousand years old. It's amazing to think that the process hasnt changed in a millenium.

 

If you want to buy Moroccan leather, Fez is the place to come to.

 

hides are first soaked in a mixture of cow urine, quicklime, water, and salt. This caustic mixture helps to break down and soften the leather

 

 

The tannery consists of numerous stone pools filled with different coloured dyes and liquids

The men stand in the pools of dyes.

Its hard work in the hot sun.
...They use their bare feet to kneed the hides.

The hides are first soaked for two to three days to prepare for tanning.and dyeing.

The ingredients are mostly natural. Components like pigeon poop contain ammonia

dying pits contain natural vegetable dyes..

 Saffron for yellow,  mint for green, henna for orange.

Roofs over Fez - Morocco

 These pics were taken it seems a life time ago.

One day I'll return to Morocco to see how things have changed.

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Fez - 1- Videos Morocco -

 These are videos taken of everyday street life.

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Sefrou - Morocco

 Sefrou is a city in central Morocco situated in the Fès-Meknès region.

 

It's a Berber town. Situated in the middle Atlas region .

 

 It's about 30km south of FEZ

 

 The Oued Aggaï  River runs through the city.

 

 

 

 

 Its a great place to see a real local market.

 

 Sefrou is known for its historical Jewish population, and its annual cherry festival.

 

The Jewish population dates from he 8th and 9th centuries.

Most came from Algeria. 

Much of this population however emigrated to Israel in 1967.

 

This is part of the old Medina .. old city

The town is very pretty and was designated a world heritage site by Unesco.

 

The Aggai River cuts through Sefrou

The city is made up of the walled medina, the new medina (outside the walls) and the fortress

(Qal'a).