centres of moroccan muslim art: fes & meknes
part of the series “mahendra’s morocco“
© mahendra myshkin 2025
Fes, founded in the 9th century, became a major center of learning and craftsmanship under successive dynasties. The city’s madrasas, mosques, and palaces showcase intricate tilework (zellij), carved plaster, and finely worked wood. Its medina, Fes el-Bali, is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Meknes, developed in the 17th century under Sultan Moulay Ismail, is known for monumental gates, expansive granaries, and stables designed to house thousands of horses. Together, these two imperial cities embody the height of Moroccan Islamic art and architecture, from scholarly traditions to grand royal visions.
