Fes

The ‘spiritual heart’of Morocco was founded by Moulay Idriss, a grandson of the prophet Mohammed in the 9th century,. The city is one of the oldest medieval cities in the world, is one of the holiest in Islam and one of the lights of knowledge, learning, culturem science and spirituality. Kairyaoune University is thought to be the oldest in the world, going back to 850 c.e., and was one of the places responsible for keeping ‘the light of ancient knowledge’ during Europe's dark ages alive. So important is Fes’ history, architecture and culture that the entire city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is undeniabley the heart and soul of the Moroccan kingdom. The medina of Fez, the largest in Morocco, houses some 60,000 residents and is organized around trade. Fez is known for the extraordinary quality of its imperial crafts, such as fassi pottery, extraordinary leatherwork and incredibly complex zellij tile mosaics. To sum up, Fez is both sacred and mysterious: its spirit both evocative and elusive even to those that know her well. Fez is a good place to make daytrips from to nearby highlights.