Entrance to Funduq al-Najjariyyin
When it comes to exploring places like the medina of Fès, it is probably best to just get an idea of where certain places are and then just give up on finding them. The medina is a massive maze of alleyways that it is almost impossible to map. Even if you found a map, the walls of the medina make it difficult to get a proper GPS signal. Signs that were actually there weren’t that great either as I would find myself walking past the same place over and over again. It doesn’t help that the locals would try to point you to what are supposedly places of interest. I would know better that they are most probably trying to get you to give them some money because they “helped” you. I decided to just politely ignore people who would be too friendly and hopefully they go away.
Detail on the Entrance to Funduq al-Najjariyyin
My wanderings around the city brought me to this open area called Najjarine square. There is an important structure here called a Fondouk Najjarine also spelled Funduq al-Najjariyyin. A fondouk is basically a traditional inn, though you can’t really tell from the outside. I actually thought that it was a mosque since I would see people going in but not a lot of tourists go in. At that time I was there, there was this large group of tourists who were there but they didn’t even bother going in the fondouk which made me think that only Muslims are allowed in the place. It was built in the 17th century but it is now a museum. What would immediately impress visitors is the facade of the fondouk. Wooden carvings adorn the building giving it a very elegant look.
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