Al-Hamra Mosque (Red Mosque), Fes

The Al-Hamra Mosque, located on the "Great Street" of Fes el-Jdid, the palace-city founded by the Marinid rulers, holds historical and architectural significance. Its name, which means either "Red Mosque" or "Mosque of the Red One", has sparked various interpretations over time. Some suggest it could refer to a red minaret or a red woman, both fitting with the grammatically feminine form of the word "hamra". Legends attribute its construction to either an unidentified "Red Sultan" or a "red woman" from the Banu Marin clan, who dedicated her fortune to its construction.

Architecturally, the mosque follows a layout similar to other major Marinid mosques of the time, featuring a rectangular floor plan and a courtyard bordered by arcaded galleries and the main prayer hall. The minaret overlooks the main street, features typical Moroccan motifs adorning its facades, with variations of the "sebka" pattern, while inside, a long staircase winds around the square-based core of the tower, leading to a platform at the top.

The courtyard, once housing a central fountain and a wall fountain for ablutions, showcases intricate zellij mosaic tilework. Additionally, a sundial can be found on one of the pillars on the northern arcade.

Across the street, associated structures including an ablutions house (mida'a), a hammam, and a group of shops complement the mosque; however, further studies are needed to determine whether they were part of the original complex or added later.