The Daily Telegraph has offered high praise for the ancient city of Fez, celebrating it as a place where the past and present blend seamlessly through craftsmanship, history, and spirituality. In a recent feature, the British newspaper highlighted the city’s enduring charm and its richly layered heritage, anchored in centuries of tradition.
The journey begins at the Al Batha Museum, once a royal palace surrounded by Andalusian-style gardens. The publication describes it as a gateway to more than a thousand years of history, offering insights into the dynasties that shaped the region, the waves of migration that passed through it, and the deep legacy of scholarly and artistic excellence that continues to define Fez.
Beneath brightly painted cedar ceilings, visitors encounter a trove of treasures: ancient astrolabes, illuminated medical manuscripts, gold-embroidered caftans, and intricate zellij tilework. These artifacts, the article notes, reflect the city’s intellectual and aesthetic sophistication.
The Telegraph also pays tribute to Fez’s historic figures, from Moulay Idriss II, the city’s founder, to Fatima al-Fihriya, who established the University of al-Qarawiyyin—widely regarded as the oldest existing university—over two centuries before Europe’s first institutions of higher learning appeared.
Wandering through the vibrant streets, from the ornate gate of Bab Bou Jeloud to the bustling Talaa Kebira, the city reveals a sensory tapestry. The article notes the marvel of the medieval hydraulic clock, and the architectural beauty of the Bou Inania and Attarine madrasas. Nearby, the scent of incense, candles, and floral water fills the air in the perfume souk near the shrine of Moulay Idriss II.
The story culminates in the gardens of Jnan Sbil during the city’s renowned Festival of Sacred Music. Under swaying lanterns and rustling leaves, Senegalese Sufi singers and Spanish flamenco dancers perform side by side, creating a harmony that transcends borders and time.
Calling the experience “beautiful, mesmerizing, and unlike anything else,” the Telegraph concludes that Fez is more than just a destination—it’s a portal through time. Its culture, cuisine, and crafts reward those willing to slow down and look beyond the surface, offering a rich, immersive experience that lingers long after the journey ends.
