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39 images Created 3 Nov 2014

Morocco

Morocco... Just the sound of it is... exotic. I have worked in and traveled through many countries in Africa, but I had never been to northern or western Africa short of a quick fuel stop on a long haul flight home to the states. Morocco was a wonderful introduction to a unique and special part of a continent that has held such a special place in my heart for so many years. All the classic elements of culture come through in Morocco. The sights, sounds, tastes and colors. The time I had there was wonderful, but it was way too short. I must go back again to see, do and learn more from this most special place and its people.
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  • These snakes belong to a snake charmer in the Jamaa el Fna square on the edge of the medina (old city) in Marrakech, Morroco.  The snakes are Egyptian cobras (Naja haje) and Puff adders (Bitis arietans), both highly venomous. The act of snake charming has been around for a long time.  The skills are handed down through families and they have been making a living doing this for generations. This is a unique cultural phenomenon that can only be seen in a few places in the world and Marrakech is one of them.
    041914-198.jpg
  • This snake belongs to a snake charmer in the Jamaa el Fna square on the edge of the medina (old city) in Marrakech, Morroco.  It is an Egyptian cobra (Naja haje).  Cobras are beautiful animals.  Their subtlety and variation in color reveals how beautiful these snakes really are.  <br />
<br />
The act of snake charming has been around for a long time.  The skills are handed down through families and they have been making a living doing this for generations. This is a unique cultural phenomenon that can only be seen in a few places in the world and Marrakech is one of them.
    041914-208.jpg
  • This man is a snake charmer in the Jamaa el Fna square on the edge of the medina (old city) in Marrakech, Morroco.  The snake is an Egyptian cobra (Naja haje). The act of snake charming has been around for a long time.  The skills are handed down through families and they have been making a living doing this for generations. This is a unique cultural phenomenon that can only be seen in a few places in the world and Marrakech is one of them.
    041914-256.jpg
  • This man is a snake charmer in the Jamaa el Fna square on the edge of the medina (old city) in Marrakech, Morroco.  The snake is an Egyptian cobra (Naja haje). The act of snake charming has been around for a long time.  The skills are handed down through families and they have been making a living doing this for generations. This is a unique cultural phenomenon that can only be seen in a few places in the world and Marrakech is one of them.
    041914-291.jpg
  • This is a silk dyeing factory in the medina (old city) in Marrakech, Morocco.  They prepare the dyes and drop the silk into large vats of dye.
    041914-335.jpg
  • This is a silk dyeing factory in the medina (old city) in Marrakech, Morocco.  They prepare the dyes and drop the silk into large vats of dye (in the foreground).
    041914-353.jpg
  • This table full of dyes is in a silk dyeing factory in the medina (old city) in Marrakech, Morocco.
    041914-366.jpg
  • These olives were on sale at an olive stand inside the medina (old city) of Marrakech, Morocco.  There was an abundance of food and good quality food in the markets.  Olives like these could be purchased in many places throughout the medina and the square.
    041914-405.jpg
  • These olives were on sale at an olive stand inside the medina (old city) of Marrakech, Morocco.  There was an abundance of food and good quality food in the markets.  Olives like these could be purchased in many places throughout the medina and the square.
    041914-408.jpg
  • The Koutoubia Mosque or Kutubiyya Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakesh, Morocco. The mosque is also known by several other names, such as Jami' al-Kutubiyah, Kotoubia Mosque, Kutubiya Mosque, Kutubiyyin Mosque, and Mosque of the Booksellers. It is located in the southwest medina quarter of Marrakesh. The mosque is ornamented with curved windows, a band of ceramic inlay, pointed merlons, and decorative arches; it has a large plaza with gardens, and is floodlit at night. The minaret, 77 metres (253 ft) in height, includes a spire and orbs. It was completed under the reign of the Almohad Caliph Yaqub al-Mansur (1184 to 1199), and has inspired other buildings such as the Giralda of Seville and the Hassan Tower of Rabat.
    042014-019.jpg
  • Scenes like this spice shop are everywhere inside the medina (old city) of Marrakech, Morocco.  The variety, freshness and availbility of spices in Moroccois amazing.  These displays in the spice shops are so colorful and are always so well done.
    042014-136.jpg
  • These dates were on sale at a food stand inside the medina (old city) of Marrakech, Morocco.  There was an abundance of food and good quality food in the markets.  Dates like these could be purchased in many places throughout the medina and the square.
    042014-173.jpg
  • These dates were on sale at a food stand inside the medina (old city) of Marrakech, Morocco.  There was an abundance of food and good quality food in the markets.  Dates like these could be purchased in many places throughout the medina and the square.
    042014-185.jpg
  • Inside the medina (old city) of Marrakech, Morocco.
    042014-188.jpg
  • Scenes like this spice shop are everywhere inside the medina (old city) of Marrakech, Morocco.  The variety, freshness and availbility of spices in Moroccois amazing.  These displays in the spice shops are so colorful and are always so well done.
    042014-190.jpg
  • This view of the medina (old city) of Fez was taken from the hills outside of the medina.  Fez is located between the Rif mountains and the Atlas mountains in northern Morocco.  It's a beautiful area and the views of the area are quite beautiful, particularly in the spring.<br />
<br />
The Holy City of Fez, a jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilization, is an outstanding and well-preserved example of an ancient capital of the Almoravids and the Almohads in the North African context, despite the destruction of the city and the transfer of the capital to Rabat. The Medina of Fez in its old, densely packed monuments - madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - is the memory of the capital founded in year 192 of the Hegira (808) by Idriss II.<br />
<br />
The ancient city, home to the oldest university in the world, is composed of two distinct centres. One is the quarter of the Andalous, a population that fled from the Umayyad masters of Cordoba and who came to settle definitively on the right bank of the Fez. The other is the quarter of the Quarawiyyia, a people emigrated from Kairouan in the 11th century who chose the left bank of the river to develop their activities.<br />
<br />
Despite the destruction of a considerable part of the city by the Almoravids, the dynasty that took power in the 11th century, the two quarters grouped around two major monuments, the Jama el Andalous (the Mosque of the Andalusians) and the mosque of El Karaouiyne, have preserved their identities intact in the old city of Fez el Bali.<br />
<br />
In the 13th century, after the Merinid conquest, when the city found itself constrained within its walls, a new city, Fez el Jedid, was founded directly to the west, in ah 674 by the sultan Abou Youssouf. It replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. In the 14th century a Jewish quarter, the Mellah, was joined to the newly founded city. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the Medina date from this period.<br />
<br />
Since then, the twin cities have led a symbiotic exist
    042214-0127.jpg
  • This view of the medina (old city) of Fez was taken from the hills outside of the medina.  Fez is located between the Rif mountains and the Atlas mountains in northern Morocco.  It's a beautiful area and the views of the area are quite beautiful, particularly in the spring.<br />
<br />
The Holy City of Fez, a jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilization, is an outstanding and well-preserved example of an ancient capital of the Almoravids and the Almohads in the North African context, despite the destruction of the city and the transfer of the capital to Rabat. The Medina of Fez in its old, densely packed monuments - madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - is the memory of the capital founded in year 192 of the Hegira (808) by Idriss II.<br />
<br />
The ancient city, home to the oldest university in the world, is composed of two distinct centres. One is the quarter of the Andalous, a population that fled from the Umayyad masters of Cordoba and who came to settle definitively on the right bank of the Fez. The other is the quarter of the Quarawiyyia, a people emigrated from Kairouan in the 11th century who chose the left bank of the river to develop their activities.<br />
<br />
Despite the destruction of a considerable part of the city by the Almoravids, the dynasty that took power in the 11th century, the two quarters grouped around two major monuments, the Jama el Andalous (the Mosque of the Andalusians) and the mosque of El Karaouiyne, have preserved their identities intact in the old city of Fez el Bali.<br />
<br />
In the 13th century, after the Merinid conquest, when the city found itself constrained within its walls, a new city, Fez el Jedid, was founded directly to the west, in ah 674 by the sultan Abou Youssouf. It replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. In the 14th century a Jewish quarter, the Mellah, was joined to the newly founded city. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the Medina date from this period.<br />
<br />
Since then, the twin cities have led a symbiotic exist
    042214-0135.jpg
  • This man is working in the Art Naji factory.  He produces traditional ceramics and pottery that other workers will then paint.  Pottery and craftsmanship are staples in Moroccan culture.  So many things are made from hand.  The variety is endless.
    042214-0227.jpg
  • This man is working in the Art Naji factory.  He produces traditional ceramics and pottery that other workers will then paint.  Pottery and craftsmanship are staples in Moroccan culture.  So many things are made from hand.  The variety is endless.
    042214-0263.jpg
  • This man is working in the Art Naji factory.  He produces traditional ceramics and pottery that other workers will then paint.  Pottery and craftsmanship are staples in Moroccan culture.  So many things are made from hand.  The variety is endless.
    042214-0280.jpg
  • Traditional ceramics, pottery, craftsmanship and color are staples in Moroccan culture.  So many things are made from hand.  The variety is endless.
    042214-0445.jpg
  • The narrow pathways and streets of the medina (old city) in Fez, Morocco add so much to charm and feel of this city.  These parts of the city are very old.  You can feel it as you walk through the medina and take in the surroundings.<br />
<br />
The Holy City of Fez, a jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilization, is an outstanding and well-preserved example of an ancient capital of the Almoravids and the Almohads in the North African context, despite the destruction of the city and the transfer of the capital to Rabat. The Medina of Fez in its old, densely packed monuments - madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - is the memory of the capital founded in year 192 of the Hegira (808) by Idriss II.<br />
<br />
The ancient city, home to the oldest university in the world, is composed of two distinct centres. One is the quarter of the Andalous, a population that fled from the Umayyad masters of Cordoba and who came to settle definitively on the right bank of the Fez. The other is the quarter of the Quarawiyyia, a people emigrated from Kairouan in the 11th century who chose the left bank of the river to develop their activities.<br />
<br />
Despite the destruction of a considerable part of the city by the Almoravids, the dynasty that took power in the 11th century, the two quarters grouped around two major monuments, the Jama el Andalous (the Mosque of the Andalusians) and the mosque of El Karaouiyne, have preserved their identities intact in the old city of Fez el Bali.<br />
<br />
In the 13th century, after the Merinid conquest, when the city found itself constrained within its walls, a new city, Fez el Jedid, was founded directly to the west, in ah 674 by the sultan Abou Youssouf. It replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. In the 14th century a Jewish quarter, the Mellah, was joined to the newly founded city. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the Medina date from this period.<br />
<br />
Since then, the twin cities have led a symbiotic existence without losing their own character.
    042214-0502.jpg
  • The narrow pathways and streets of the medina (old city) in Fez, Morocco add so much to charm and feel of this city.  These parts of the city are very old.  You can feel it as you walk through the medina and take in the surroundings.<br />
<br />
The Holy City of Fez, a jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilization, is an outstanding and well-preserved example of an ancient capital of the Almoravids and the Almohads in the North African context, despite the destruction of the city and the transfer of the capital to Rabat. The Medina of Fez in its old, densely packed monuments - madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - is the memory of the capital founded in year 192 of the Hegira (808) by Idriss II.<br />
<br />
The ancient city, home to the oldest university in the world, is composed of two distinct centres. One is the quarter of the Andalous, a population that fled from the Umayyad masters of Cordoba and who came to settle definitively on the right bank of the Fez. The other is the quarter of the Quarawiyyia, a people emigrated from Kairouan in the 11th century who chose the left bank of the river to develop their activities.<br />
<br />
Despite the destruction of a considerable part of the city by the Almoravids, the dynasty that took power in the 11th century, the two quarters grouped around two major monuments, the Jama el Andalous (the Mosque of the Andalusians) and the mosque of El Karaouiyne, have preserved their identities intact in the old city of Fez el Bali.<br />
<br />
In the 13th century, after the Merinid conquest, when the city found itself constrained within its walls, a new city, Fez el Jedid, was founded directly to the west, in ah 674 by the sultan Abou Youssouf. It replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. In the 14th century a Jewish quarter, the Mellah, was joined to the newly founded city. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the Medina date from this period.<br />
<br />
Since then, the twin cities have led a symbiotic existence without losing their own character.
    042214-0508.jpg
  • This shop was the only shop in the medina that sold camel meat.  How many places in the world would you see a camels head hanging in a food shop where they are butchering meat for you?  It's places like this that make this city truly unique and such a pleasure to visit.<br />
<br />
The Holy City of Fez, a jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilization, is an outstanding and well-preserved example of an ancient capital of the Almoravids and the Almohads in the North African context, despite the destruction of the city and the transfer of the capital to Rabat. The Medina of Fez in its old, densely packed monuments - madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - is the memory of the capital founded in year 192 of the Hegira (808) by Idriss II.<br />
<br />
The ancient city, home to the oldest university in the world, is composed of two distinct centres. One is the quarter of the Andalous, a population that fled from the Umayyad masters of Cordoba and who came to settle definitively on the right bank of the Fez. The other is the quarter of the Quarawiyyia, a people emigrated from Kairouan in the 11th century who chose the left bank of the river to develop their activities.<br />
<br />
Despite the destruction of a considerable part of the city by the Almoravids, the dynasty that took power in the 11th century, the two quarters grouped around two major monuments, the Jama el Andalous (the Mosque of the Andalusians) and the mosque of El Karaouiyne, have preserved their identities intact in the old city of Fez el Bali.<br />
<br />
In the 13th century, after the Merinid conquest, when the city found itself constrained within its walls, a new city, Fez el Jedid, was founded directly to the west, in ah 674 by the sultan Abou Youssouf. It replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. In the 14th century a Jewish quarter, the Mellah, was joined to the newly founded city. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the Medina date from this period.<br />
<br />
Since then, the twin cities have led a symbiotic existence
    042214-0575.jpg
  • The narrow pathways and streets of the medina (old city) in Fez, Morocco add so much to charm and feel of this city.  These parts of the city are very old.  You can feel it as you walk through the medina and take in the surroundings.<br />
<br />
The Holy City of Fez, a jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilization, is an outstanding and well-preserved example of an ancient capital of the Almoravids and the Almohads in the North African context, despite the destruction of the city and the transfer of the capital to Rabat. The Medina of Fez in its old, densely packed monuments - madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - is the memory of the capital founded in year 192 of the Hegira (808) by Idriss II.<br />
<br />
The ancient city, home to the oldest university in the world, is composed of two distinct centres. One is the quarter of the Andalous, a population that fled from the Umayyad masters of Cordoba and who came to settle definitively on the right bank of the Fez. The other is the quarter of the Quarawiyyia, a people emigrated from Kairouan in the 11th century who chose the left bank of the river to develop their activities.<br />
<br />
Despite the destruction of a considerable part of the city by the Almoravids, the dynasty that took power in the 11th century, the two quarters grouped around two major monuments, the Jama el Andalous (the Mosque of the Andalusians) and the mosque of El Karaouiyne, have preserved their identities intact in the old city of Fez el Bali.<br />
<br />
In the 13th century, after the Merinid conquest, when the city found itself constrained within its walls, a new city, Fez el Jedid, was founded directly to the west, in ah 674 by the sultan Abou Youssouf. It replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. In the 14th century a Jewish quarter, the Mellah, was joined to the newly founded city. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the Medina date from this period.<br />
<br />
Since then, the twin cities have led a symbiotic existence without losing their own character.
    042214-0599.jpg
  • The narrow pathways and streets of the medina (old city) in Fez, Morocco add so much to charm and feel of this city.  These parts of the city are very old.  You can feel it as you walk through the medina and take in the surroundings.<br />
<br />
The Holy City of Fez, a jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilization, is an outstanding and well-preserved example of an ancient capital of the Almoravids and the Almohads in the North African context, despite the destruction of the city and the transfer of the capital to Rabat. The Medina of Fez in its old, densely packed monuments - madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - is the memory of the capital founded in year 192 of the Hegira (808) by Idriss II.<br />
<br />
The ancient city, home to the oldest university in the world, is composed of two distinct centres. One is the quarter of the Andalous, a population that fled from the Umayyad masters of Cordoba and who came to settle definitively on the right bank of the Fez. The other is the quarter of the Quarawiyyia, a people emigrated from Kairouan in the 11th century who chose the left bank of the river to develop their activities.<br />
<br />
Despite the destruction of a considerable part of the city by the Almoravids, the dynasty that took power in the 11th century, the two quarters grouped around two major monuments, the Jama el Andalous (the Mosque of the Andalusians) and the mosque of El Karaouiyne, have preserved their identities intact in the old city of Fez el Bali.<br />
<br />
In the 13th century, after the Merinid conquest, when the city found itself constrained within its walls, a new city, Fez el Jedid, was founded directly to the west, in ah 674 by the sultan Abou Youssouf. It replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. In the 14th century a Jewish quarter, the Mellah, was joined to the newly founded city. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the Medina date from this period.<br />
<br />
Since then, the twin cities have led a symbiotic existence without losing their own character.
    042214-0605.jpg
  • The Holy City of Fez, a jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilization, is an outstanding and well-preserved example of an ancient capital of the Almoravids and the Almohads in the North African context, despite the destruction of the city and the transfer of the capital to Rabat. The Medina of Fez in its old, densely packed monuments - madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - is the memory of the capital founded in year 192 of the Hegira (808) by Idriss II.<br />
<br />
The ancient city, home to the oldest university in the world, is composed of two distinct centres. One is the quarter of the Andalous, a population that fled from the Umayyad masters of Cordoba and who came to settle definitively on the right bank of the Fez. The other is the quarter of the Quarawiyyia, a people emigrated from Kairouan in the 11th century who chose the left bank of the river to develop their activities.<br />
<br />
Despite the destruction of a considerable part of the city by the Almoravids, the dynasty that took power in the 11th century, the two quarters grouped around two major monuments, the Jama el Andalous (the Mosque of the Andalusians) and the mosque of El Karaouiyne, have preserved their identities intact in the old city of Fez el Bali.<br />
<br />
In the 13th century, after the Merinid conquest, when the city found itself constrained within its walls, a new city, Fez el Jedid, was founded directly to the west, in ah 674 by the sultan Abou Youssouf. It replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. In the 14th century a Jewish quarter, the Mellah, was joined to the newly founded city. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the Medina date from this period.<br />
<br />
Since then, the twin cities have led a symbiotic existence without losing their own character. Fez is at once an astonishing city-museum and one of the largest Islamic metropolises in which the various demographic strata have determined the greatest variety of architectural forms and urban landscapes.<br />
<br />
Having been deserted since
    042214-0730.jpg
  • This view of a mosque against the backdrop of the Rif mountains was taken from a rooftop inside the medina (old city) of Fez.  Fez is located between the Rif mountains and the Atlas mountains in northern Morocco.  It's a beautiful area and the views of the area are quite beautiful, particularly in the spring.<br />
<br />
The Holy City of Fez, a jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilization, is an outstanding and well-preserved example of an ancient capital of the Almoravids and the Almohads in the North African context, despite the destruction of the city and the transfer of the capital to Rabat. The Medina of Fez in its old, densely packed monuments - madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - is the memory of the capital founded in year 192 of the Hegira (808) by Idriss II.<br />
<br />
The ancient city, home to the oldest university in the world, is composed of two distinct centres. One is the quarter of the Andalous, a population that fled from the Umayyad masters of Cordoba and who came to settle definitively on the right bank of the Fez. The other is the quarter of the Quarawiyyia, a people emigrated from Kairouan in the 11th century who chose the left bank of the river to develop their activities.<br />
<br />
Despite the destruction of a considerable part of the city by the Almoravids, the dynasty that took power in the 11th century, the two quarters grouped around two major monuments, the Jama el Andalous (the Mosque of the Andalusians) and the mosque of El Karaouiyne, have preserved their identities intact in the old city of Fez el Bali.<br />
<br />
In the 13th century, after the Merinid conquest, when the city found itself constrained within its walls, a new city, Fez el Jedid, was founded directly to the west, in ah 674 by the sultan Abou Youssouf. It replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. In the 14th century a Jewish quarter, the Mellah, was joined to the newly founded city. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the Medina date from this period.<br />
<br />
Since then, the tw
    042214-0743.jpg
  • One of the most interesting sites in Fez is the Leather Souq and the oldest leather tannery in the world. The tannery dates back at least nine centuries. When approaching the tannery the smell is the first suggestion that something different is about to appear. The smell drifts around the balcony from where all the activity can be viewed and is enough to put off the most enthusiastic of tourists. The stench is worth braving as the view over the balcony allows those watching to see a site that has not changed since the 11th century.<br />
<br />
The tannery is composed of numerous stone vessels filled with a vast range of dyes and various odorous liquids. The tannery processes the hides (skins) of sheep and goats, turning them into high quality leather products such as bags, coats, shoes, slippers and other similar products. This is all achieved manually, without the need for modern machinery. Men work in unbearably hot conditions (in the summer - 40 degrees and above). The tannery is a good example of mass production, a process that we often consider as being modern.<br />
<br />
The workers stand in the stone vessels arranged like honeycombs, filled with different dyes, dying the arms and legs of the men. The hides are first soaked in diluted acidic pigeon excrement and then transferred to other vessels containing vegetable dyes such as henna, saffron and mint. When the dying process has been completed the hides are dried on the roofs of the Medina. <br />
<br />
The production line created five hundred years ago is basically the same today.
    042214-0888.jpg
  • One of the most interesting sites in Fez is the Leather Souq and the oldest leather tannery in the world. The tannery dates back at least nine centuries. When approaching the tannery the smell is the first suggestion that something different is about to appear. The smell drifts around the balcony from where all the activity can be viewed and is enough to put off the most enthusiastic of tourists. The stench is worth braving as the view over the balcony allows those watching to see a site that has not changed since the 11th century.<br />
<br />
The tannery is composed of numerous stone vessels filled with a vast range of dyes and various odorous liquids. The tannery processes the hides (skins) of sheep and goats, turning them into high quality leather products such as bags, coats, shoes, slippers and other similar products. This is all achieved manually, without the need for modern machinery. Men work in unbearably hot conditions (in the summer - 40 degrees and above). The tannery is a good example of mass production, a process that we often consider as being modern.<br />
<br />
The workers stand in the stone vessels arranged like honeycombs, filled with different dyes, dying the arms and legs of the men. The hides are first soaked in diluted acidic pigeon excrement and then transferred to other vessels containing vegetable dyes such as henna, saffron and mint. When the dying process has been completed the hides are dried on the roofs of the Medina. <br />
<br />
The production line created five hundred years ago is basically the same today.
    042214-0953.jpg
  • This view of the medina (old city) of Fez was taken from the hills outside of the medina.  Fez is located between the Rif mountains and the Atlas mountains in northern Morocco.  It's a beautiful area and the views of the area are quite beautiful, particularly in the spring.<br />
<br />
The Holy City of Fez, a jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilization, is an outstanding and well-preserved example of an ancient capital of the Almoravids and the Almohads in the North African context, despite the destruction of the city and the transfer of the capital to Rabat. The Medina of Fez in its old, densely packed monuments - madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - is the memory of the capital founded in year 192 of the Hegira (808) by Idriss II.<br />
<br />
The ancient city, home to the oldest university in the world, is composed of two distinct centres. One is the quarter of the Andalous, a population that fled from the Umayyad masters of Cordoba and who came to settle definitively on the right bank of the Fez. The other is the quarter of the Quarawiyyia, a people emigrated from Kairouan in the 11th century who chose the left bank of the river to develop their activities.<br />
<br />
Despite the destruction of a considerable part of the city by the Almoravids, the dynasty that took power in the 11th century, the two quarters grouped around two major monuments, the Jama el Andalous (the Mosque of the Andalusians) and the mosque of El Karaouiyne, have preserved their identities intact in the old city of Fez el Bali.<br />
<br />
In the 13th century, after the Merinid conquest, when the city found itself constrained within its walls, a new city, Fez el Jedid, was founded directly to the west, in ah 674 by the sultan Abou Youssouf. It replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. In the 14th century a Jewish quarter, the Mellah, was joined to the newly founded city. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the Medina date from this period.<br />
<br />
Since then, the twin cities have led a symbiotic exist
    042314-239.jpg
  • This view of the medina (old city) of Fez was taken from the hills outside of the medina.  Fez is located between the Rif mountains and the Atlas mountains in northern Morocco.  It's a beautiful area and the views of the area are quite beautiful, particularly in the spring.<br />
<br />
The Holy City of Fez, a jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilization, is an outstanding and well-preserved example of an ancient capital of the Almoravids and the Almohads in the North African context, despite the destruction of the city and the transfer of the capital to Rabat. The Medina of Fez in its old, densely packed monuments - madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - is the memory of the capital founded in year 192 of the Hegira (808) by Idriss II.<br />
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The ancient city, home to the oldest university in the world, is composed of two distinct centres. One is the quarter of the Andalous, a population that fled from the Umayyad masters of Cordoba and who came to settle definitively on the right bank of the Fez. The other is the quarter of the Quarawiyyia, a people emigrated from Kairouan in the 11th century who chose the left bank of the river to develop their activities.<br />
<br />
Despite the destruction of a considerable part of the city by the Almoravids, the dynasty that took power in the 11th century, the two quarters grouped around two major monuments, the Jama el Andalous (the Mosque of the Andalusians) and the mosque of El Karaouiyne, have preserved their identities intact in the old city of Fez el Bali.<br />
<br />
In the 13th century, after the Merinid conquest, when the city found itself constrained within its walls, a new city, Fez el Jedid, was founded directly to the west, in ah 674 by the sultan Abou Youssouf. It replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. In the 14th century a Jewish quarter, the Mellah, was joined to the newly founded city. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the Medina date from this period.<br />
<br />
Since then, the twin cities have led a symbiotic exist
    042314-251.jpg
  • This view of the medina (old city) of Fez was taken from the hills outside of the medina.  Fez is located between the Rif mountains and the Atlas mountains in northern Morocco.  It's a beautiful area and the views of the area are quite beautiful, particularly in the spring.<br />
<br />
The Holy City of Fez, a jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilization, is an outstanding and well-preserved example of an ancient capital of the Almoravids and the Almohads in the North African context, despite the destruction of the city and the transfer of the capital to Rabat. The Medina of Fez in its old, densely packed monuments - madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - is the memory of the capital founded in year 192 of the Hegira (808) by Idriss II.<br />
<br />
The ancient city, home to the oldest university in the world, is composed of two distinct centres. One is the quarter of the Andalous, a population that fled from the Umayyad masters of Cordoba and who came to settle definitively on the right bank of the Fez. The other is the quarter of the Quarawiyyia, a people emigrated from Kairouan in the 11th century who chose the left bank of the river to develop their activities.<br />
<br />
Despite the destruction of a considerable part of the city by the Almoravids, the dynasty that took power in the 11th century, the two quarters grouped around two major monuments, the Jama el Andalous (the Mosque of the Andalusians) and the mosque of El Karaouiyne, have preserved their identities intact in the old city of Fez el Bali.<br />
<br />
In the 13th century, after the Merinid conquest, when the city found itself constrained within its walls, a new city, Fez el Jedid, was founded directly to the west, in ah 674 by the sultan Abou Youssouf. It replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. In the 14th century a Jewish quarter, the Mellah, was joined to the newly founded city. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the Medina date from this period.<br />
<br />
Since then, the twin cities have led a symbiotic exist
    042314-257.jpg
  • The Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus), Barbary ape, or magot is a species of macaque unique for its distribution outside of Asia and for its vestigial tail. Found in the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco and El-Kouf National Park in Libya along with a small population of unknown origin in Gibraltar, the Barbary macaque is one of the best-known Old World monkey species.<br />
The Barbary macaque is of particular interest because males play an atypical role in rearing young. Despite uncertain paternity, males are integral to raising infants. Generally, Barbary macaques of all ages and sexes contribute in alloparental care of young.<br />
Macaque diets consist primarily of plants and insects and they are found in a variety of habitats. Males live to a maximum of 25 years while females may live up to 30 years. Besides humans, they are the only free-living primates in Europe. Although the species is commonly referred to as the "Barbary ape", the Barbary macaque is actually a true monkey. Its name refers to the Barbary Coast of Northern Africa.<br />
The Barbary macaque population of Gibraltar is the only such population outside of Northern Africa. The Rock of Gibraltar is populated by approximately 230 macaques.
    042414-019.jpg
  • The Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus), Barbary ape, or magot is a species of macaque unique for its distribution outside of Asia and for its vestigial tail. Found in the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco and El-Kouf National Park in Libya along with a small population of unknown origin in Gibraltar, the Barbary macaque is one of the best-known Old World monkey species.<br />
<br />
This image is a great display of grooming behavior.  This behavior is common amongs most primates and many other species and is always interesting to watch when it is occuring naturally.<br />
<br />
The Barbary macaque is of particular interest because males play an atypical role in rearing young. Despite uncertain paternity, males are integral to raising infants. Generally, Barbary macaques of all ages and sexes contribute in alloparental care of young.<br />
Macaque diets consist primarily of plants and insects and they are found in a variety of habitats. Males live to a maximum of 25 years while females may live up to 30 years. Besides humans, they are the only free-living primates in Europe. Although the species is commonly referred to as the "Barbary ape", the Barbary macaque is actually a true monkey. Its name refers to the Barbary Coast of Northern Africa.<br />
The Barbary macaque population of Gibraltar is the only such population outside of Northern Africa. The Rock of Gibraltar is populated by approximately 230 macaques.
    042414-155.jpg
  • The Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus), Barbary ape, or magot is a species of macaque unique for its distribution outside of Asia and for its vestigial tail. Found in the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco and El-Kouf National Park in Libya along with a small population of unknown origin in Gibraltar, the Barbary macaque is one of the best-known Old World monkey species.<br />
The Barbary macaque is of particular interest because males play an atypical role in rearing young. Despite uncertain paternity, males are integral to raising infants. Generally, Barbary macaques of all ages and sexes contribute in alloparental care of young.<br />
Macaque diets consist primarily of plants and insects and they are found in a variety of habitats. Males live to a maximum of 25 years while females may live up to 30 years. Besides humans, they are the only free-living primates in Europe. Although the species is commonly referred to as the "Barbary ape", the Barbary macaque is actually a true monkey. Its name refers to the Barbary Coast of Northern Africa.<br />
The Barbary macaque population of Gibraltar is the only such population outside of Northern Africa. The Rock of Gibraltar is populated by approximately 230 macaques.
    042414-190.jpg
  • Traveling along the national road from Fes to Marrakech through the middle Atlas mountains, this mountain scene with dashes of color from the wildflowers typifies this part of the Moroccan countryside.
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  • I noticed this scene when traveling along the national road from Fes to Marrakech through the middle Atlas mountains. The color of these rugs hanging out the windows to dry was superb!  It was also very typical of the color and flair that is so common in Morocco.
    042414-371.jpg
  • This image was taken on a narrow street inside the medina (old city) of Marrakech, Morocco.  These narrow streets and passage ways are classic scenes in Marrakech.
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