Al-Hamra Mosque (Red Mosque), Fes

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.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Fes. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Al-Hamra Mosque (Red Mosque) on Map

Sight Name: Al-Hamra Mosque (Red Mosque)
Sight Location: Fes, Morocco (See walking tours in Fes)
Sight Type: Religious

Walking Tours in Fes, Morocco

Create Your Own Walk in Fes

Create Your Own Walk in Fes

Creating your own self-guided walk in Fes is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Fes New Town Walking Tour

Fes New Town Walking Tour

Created by the French in the early 20th century, Ville Nouvelle (New Town) is a relatively modern central district of Fez. A far cry from the sensory overload provided by the old Medina, this neighborhood was originally designed to accommodate foreigners and affluent Moroccans only.

Still, Fez's Ville Nouvelle is as much 'real' Morocco as any donkey-packed lane in the old city....  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Fes Old Town Walking Tour

Fes Old Town Walking Tour

North and west of the fabled Atlas Mountains of North Africa is the ancient city of Fes, or Fez. It is centered on the Fes River.

In the year 789 Idris I founded the city and the Idrisid dynasty. The city was two settlements on either side of the river. In the 11th century, Sultan Yusuf ibn Tashfin established Almoravid rule. He united the settlements into Fes el-Bali. The Almoravids were...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles