Morocco’s Spiritual City Fez Celebrates Its ‘Annual Day’

Fez – Morocco’s spiritual capital Fez celebrates today, January 4, its annual day proclaimed in January 2011, marking a rich legacy with influence reaching all the corners of the globe.

Since its establishment in 808, Fez’s exquisite lifestyle has drawn international attention, with considerable numbers of tourists visiting the city each year to experience an unprecedented mixture of antique and modern sites and landscapes.

The city’s annual day has become noted for debates and initiatives that explore all the aspects of the city’s development. Civil society associations take the opportunity to discuss and evaluate recent advancements in diverse fields ranging from heritage preservation to sustainable development.

Numerous projects have been launched to revive the city’s cultural heritage and historic sites, most notably the restoration program of 27 monuments and historic sites.

An allocated sum of 615 million MAD ($66.4 million) has been invested in restoring buildings in danger of collapse, tanneries, and madrasas built in the Merinids era.

According to the Agency for the Development and Rehabilitation of the City of Fezhttps://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2021/11/345478/fez-mayor-vows-to-improve-citys-public-transportation (ADER-Fez), this program aims to preserve the city’s cultural heritage and add more vitality to its socio-economic and cultural scene.

Other projects have also been launched in recent years to revive the city’s traditional crafts and promote its heritage, including the supplementary program developing the old medina of Fez.

The program mobilizes a budget of 583 million MAD ($62.8 million) to restore the city’s cultural heritage and make it an attractive destination for tourists.

It includes the rehabilitation of 11 historical monuments and landmarks, the restoration of places of worship, and other facilities related to craft activities and traditional trade. Similarly, the historic site of Dar Al Makina will undergo substantial renovation work.

With many historic sites adding to the city’s cultural and spiritual value, Fez has received worldwide recognition from well-established institutions over the years.

In 1981, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed the old medina of Fez as a world heritage due to the city’s historic monuments.

The Idrisid capital possesses important monuments that stand as storytellers of the city’s rich history. Al Qarawiyyin University, dating back to 859, is the world’s oldest university.

Madrasa Bou Inania, built in 1350-55, is a vivid example of Morocco’s architecture, especially during the Marinids’ times. Bab Boujloud, one of the city’s oldest gates, was built in the 12th century and renovated in 1913. The gate is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.