Morocco Travel Guide

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PALACE

JEWISH  QUARTER

CEMETERY

2    Hôtel  Central

3    Hôtel  de  la  Paix

4 Hôtel Menzeh  Fez

5    Hôtel  Menzeh  Zalagh

6    Hôtel  Mounia

7    Hôtel  Olympic

8    Hôtel  Royal

9    Hôtel  Splendid

10   Youth  Hostel

    Eating

11   Central    Market

12   Chez   Vittorio

13   Chicken    Mac

14   Crémerie   Skali

15   Restaurant Marrakech

16   Restaurant Zagora

Transport

17 Local    Buses

18 Local    Buses

Dar el-Makhzen

Offline map Google map (Royal Palace; Click here ; Place des Alaouites) The entrance to Dar el-
Makhzen is a stunning example of modern restoration, but the 80 hectares of palace grounds
are not open to the public. Visitors must suffice with viewing its imposing brass doors,
surrounded by fine zellij and carved cedar wood. Note the lemon trees to one side – tour
guides are prone to plucking the fruit to demonstrate the juice’s astringent cleaning properties
on the palace gates.

Mellah

( Offline map Google map ) In the 14th century Fez el-Jdid became a refuge for Jews, thus

creating a mellah (Jewish quarter). The records suggest that the move was orchestrated to
offer the Jews greater protection. And they certainly did enjoy the favour of the sultan, repaying
him with their loyalty during conflict. Around 200 Jews remain in Fez, but all have now left the
Mellah in favour of the ville nouvelle. Their old houses remain, with their open balconies looking
onto the streets a marked contrast to Muslim styles.

Jewish Cemetery & Habarim Synagogue

Offline map Google map ( donations welcome; 7am-7pm) The southwest corner of the mellah is
home to the sea of blindingly white tombs that stretch down the hill; those in dedicated
enclosures are tombs of rabbis. One of the oldest, high up against the north wall, is that of
Rabbi Vidal Hasserfaty, who died in 1600. On the slope below, the large tomb with green
trimming is that of the martyr Solica. In 1834 this 14-year-old girl refused to convert to Islam or
accept the advances of the governor of Tangier and subsequently had her throat slit.