Bab Mahrouk (Gate of the Burnt), Fes

Dating back to 1204, Bab Mahrouk holds a significant place in the history of Fes el Bali, serving as the main western gate of the old walled city. Located on the northwestern corner of Bou Jeloud Square, it marks the approximate starting point of the old city's main street, Tala'a Kebira.

Originally known as Bab ash-Shari'a, meaning "Gate of Justice", it acquired its current name, Bab Mahrouk, meaning "Gate of the Burnt", after the body of a rebel named al-'Ubaydi was burned here in 1203-04. Throughout history, it served as a site for displaying the heads of executed rebels, a practice that persisted into the early 20th century. Some condemned individuals were hung by the wrists just above the ground for a day before execution.

The gate, like many medieval fortified gates, features a bent entrance, entered from the west but turning 90 degrees to the south. It opens through a large horseshoe or Moorish arch, surrounded by a shallow rectangular frame. Additionally, a simple opening has been inserted in recent times to facilitate better circulation.

Outside the city walls, to the west of the gate, lies the historic Bab Mahrouk Cemetery, a significant burial ground within the old city. It includes the mausoleum of the 12th-century Islamic scholar Abu Bakr ibn al-Arabi, along with the tomb of Ibn al-Khatib, a renowned Andalusi poet from Granada. There is speculation that one of the tombs in the cemetery may hold the remains of Muhammad XII, the last ruler of Granada and al-Andalus, although this has yet to be confirmed by experts.