lots of photos
Unfortunately, I’m not a professional photographer and shy away from showing mediocre things. But I’ve been asked for more photos (even with a phone call) so I’ll show you a few more. Due to time constraints, I can’t write much about it and I’ll limit myself to the necessary explanations.
So it’s more of a photo series with snapshots that should complement the last post.
Quite a large pool, perfect air and water temperature – and no one around.
The Medina of Fez
Founded in the 9th century, Fez reached its height in the 13th–14th centuries under the Marinids, when it replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the medina – madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains – date from this period. Although the political capital of Morocco was transferred to Rabat in 1912, Fez has retained its status as the country’s cultural and spiritual centre. (source: unesco.org)
The blue gate is the best entrance to start the tour of the medina because from here it goes downhill, which makes walking easier.
“Where should I turn?” Here it is.
In the worst case, you can ask at the police headquarters.
You can still see the poorest streets and dwellings here…..
….and a few steps further palaces of the rich. (Although it may not appear so from the outside). The 2 door knockers, one for family members, the other for strangers, indicate it.
A magnificent building that bridal couples rent to take photos (sofas for guests at the back). And then there is this showpiece of elegance, an ancient wooden stool for the gatekeeper. My heart jumped for joy!
Again and again cute kittens – these after a successful slimming cure.
My absolute favorite photo of a drawing on a wall. I was about to save it for WordlessWednesday.
Also a nice graffiti
Another gem from days gone by. No, it is not set up for tourists. For generations, this family has operated the wonderful loom.
And that brings us to wool and dyeing and the world of colors.
This is the finest, handspun, and dyed with the finest natural colors.
One alley down, people are having their faded clothes re-dyed (left) – mostly with synthetic dyes.
The downside of my trip to the medina: I couldn’t see the fascinating colors of the leather tannery. Why? There are no orders due to the global supply crisis.
A little further on you can see the moat on the edge of the medina.
Next to it is a fountain from the Middle Ages, but the weathered stone is very atmospheric.
No sooner have you passed these witnesses from ancient times than you are again faced with a palace that will amaze you.
Musée des Arts et Métiers du bois de Nejjarîn. Architecturally impressive, detailed, and elaborately processed, the compact impression was not destroyed despite the details. The wonderful woodwork (mostly cedar) emphasizes elegance.
There, even narrow streets became something special thanks to skillful architecture.
The alleyways are partially covered, giving the half-obscured sunlight an intriguing flicker.
The photo is perhaps uninteresting in terms of content, but the scene appealed to me.
More recent and stylistically more playful, it captivates like many buildings with its mosaic art. Each stone is individually handcrafted. You often have to get quite close to realizing it.
The same goes for the inlaid work on some doors. Often hundreds of years old, they have lost none of their splendor. (Of course, they are professionally maintained).
We are approaching the shopping district again. This part is still largely untouched.
And from here the newer part begins….. ( A donkey for the artist M. K.)
In 2009, Fes was included in the Unesco World Heritage program. A few years ago, part of the medina began to be renovated. Very good work is being done, but of course, the part takes on a different character with it. There are many offers for tourists with all their advantages and downsides. I wasn’t in that part, but I saw something from the edge.
Atlas Mountains Trip
a 500 year old cedar
What you find in the shops of carpets and rugs is generally junk of very poor quality. And then I see this bag on the back of a donkey 🙂
Everywhere dried up meadows and one is surprised that the sheep can still find anything to eat. Usually, you only see 1-2 sheep in large areas.
Chefchaouen
View of the city of Chefchaouen
I thought for a long time about what it was that put me in a kind of trance at the beginning. It’s definitely the changing shades of blue that have contributed to this and this photo reflects that quite well. But there are certainly other factors such as houses from the Middle Ages, autumn sun, and dreamy silence.
There are a number of spots in the city that have been made ready for tourists and in fact, you will find them almost exclusively there. They provide a good background for selfie lovers. I basically saved myself that part.
I took a look at the carpets. While I’m not a proven expert, I’ve been at it for a long time and have some lovely old pieces at home. Anyway, these are useless.
But they give the whole thing a certain local flavor and that’s okay.
I won’t comment on the rest of the photos, the photos are primarily intended to document the blue of the city and the wonderful architecture, mostly unchanged from the Middle Ages
postscript:
In the last 10 (?) years, real estate prices in Fez have increased fourteenfold. The reason, according to my guide, is foreigners buying apartments and city palaces here. I suppose it’s mostly speculators betting that a restored and somewhat modernized Fez will be a gold mine.
Anyhow, some of the photos I have shown will soon be history.
And: Was it a satisfying journey? Certainly. Would I imagine being able to live there longer (like I lived in China for 5 years)? Never ever.
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