Discover Morocco with the Help of Hostelling International – Part 2

In 146 BCE, the Romans conquered Carthage and their influence in northern Africa gradually increased. Then, in 42 CE, the Romans annexed the Kingdom of Mauretania. Morocco fell under the Roman jurisdiction and remained so until the 5th century.

In 681 CE, Morocco came under siege by Arab forces and was conquered in 705 CE. The Arabs introduced Islam in Morocco and then attacked and conquered Spain in 711 CE. Morocco, however, soon broke up into numerous small kingdoms. In 789 CE, a man named Idris founded a small kingdom and his son, Idris II, proclaimed Fez as the capital. In the following centuries, Fez became the centre of culture.

The first Arab dynasty ruled Morocco after it had conquered Marrakesh in 1525 CE and later also Fez in 1548 CE.

Morocco became a French protectorate in 1912 and then presented a manifesto demanding independence after World War II in 1944 and the latter was supported by the sultan in 1947.

Today, Morocco is a modern constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy with tourism being one of major industries, which prompted me to write this article.

After an introduction as this, it’s only fitting to look at the reasons why one should travel to Morocco to begin with.
It’s hard to find someone who wouldn’t find something to their liking in Morocco as the country, in addition to paradise beaches, historical cities and mountain hiking, also offers top-notch ski areas, as unbelievable as it sounds.

Unfortunately, an article wouldn’t suffice to write about everything Morocco has to offer, so I’ll be focusing on four cities; the largest, Casablanca, and three historic capitals, Fez, Marrakesh and Rabat. The latter is the country’s current capital. I’m dedicating this article to the oldest of the above cities, Fez.

Fez is a city that was the first one that began gaining its present shape and is one of Morocco’s four historic capitals, still holding the title “royal city”. It takes a few days to explore the city as it has, among other things, the world’s largest medina. Medina or the walled city centre even today remains to be an interesting mix of shops, mosques, markets and residential buildings. It’s home to the world’s oldest university built in the 9th century or, as recorded at UNESCO, the oldest existing, continually operating higher educational institution in the world. As such, the University of al-Qarawiyyin (French: Université Al Quaraouiyine) or Al-Karaouine is included in the Guinness Book of World Records. Add to this the oldest psychiatric hospital in Morocco and a couple hundred mosques and it need scarcely be pointed out that medina is listed as part of UNESCO World Heritage. The old town is also home to the most photographed subject in Morocco: a complex of dozens of colour and tannery pools for leather production.

In addition to medina or the old town of Fez, originally also known as Fes el-Bali, there are also two parts of the city, namely Fes el-Jdid, translated as the New Fez, though still hundreds of years old and home to the Royal Palace and the Jewish Quarter. Though this part of the city draws less tourists than medina, it’s still worth visiting. The third and the actual new part of the city is called Ville Nouvelle, which in French means New City. This is the part that is reminiscent of many European cities and was built in the early 1900s. Regardless of the fact that there are almost no points of interest in this part of city, it should still be a part of the itinerary as it’s full of restaurants, shops and accommodation establishments. Contrary to Casablanca, no one will ever advise you against visiting Fez. What’s more, you should commit sufficient time to Fez in order to truly experience the city instead of just spending time sightseeing. And of course, there’s also a safe, clean and affordable youth hostel in the new part of the city, though still close to all the landmarks.