Al-Attarine Madrasa (School of the Perfumers), Fes

Al-Attarine Madrasa (School of the Perfumers), Fes (must see)

In the golden age of Fes, when it is said that Fes was the largest city in the world, the ruling Marinids were building schools called madrassas. Madrassas originated in Iran in the 11th century. They were schools training Islamic scholars and professionals who would later run the state's bureaucracy.

The Al-Attarine madrassa was built in 1323 on the order of Sultan Abu Sa'id Uthman II. It was built near the al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, the main intellectual center of Morocco. The name Attarine refers to the Souk al-Attarine, a neighboring perfume market.

The chronicle Rawd el-Qirtas claims the sultan himself watched over the laying of the madrassa foundation. The madrassa has undergone many restorations, but always the original architectural style has been preserved.

The madrassa is located on the east end of Tala'a Kebira Street in Fes. It is a two story building with a courtyard. It has a fountain and galleries with square pillars and marble columns on the south and north sides. The pillars and columns support carved wooden and stucco arches.

Above the galleries are facades of the second floor with 30 rooms for students. At the eastern end of the yard is the ornate archway to the prayer hall. The madrassa is considered to be an outstanding achievement of Marinid architecture for its lush ornamentation and efficiency of space.

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Al-Attarine Madrasa (School of the Perfumers) on Map

Sight Name: Al-Attarine Madrasa (School of the Perfumers)
Sight Location: Fes, Morocco (See walking tours in Fes)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Fes, Morocco

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