Great Mosque of Fes el-Jdid, Fes

The historic main Friday mosque of Fes el-Jdid, situated within the royal city and Marinid-era citadel of Fes, is believed to have its origins dating back to 1276, around the time of the city's founding. While it is considered the oldest mosque in the district, evidence suggests significant restoration work occurred during later periods, particularly in the late 17th century and beyond.

Its main entrance, aligned with the mihrab at the opposite end, opens into a courtyard typical of mosques, featuring a central water basin and surrounded by arched galleries, with mosaic-tiled flooring. Of note is the ornate portal framing the central arch on the south side, leading into the central "nave" of the prayer hall, aligned with the mihrab.

A rectangular chamber on the mosque's western side, raised above the rest of the building and accessed via a short staircase from the prayer hall, is believed to have originally served as a space for spiritual retreat; however, in later centuries, it was repurposed as a library.

The mosque's minaret rises from the northwestern corner, featuring decorative motifs carved into the brick, including rhombus-like "darj wa ktaf" patterns. These motifs vary slightly between the northern and southern facades compared to the eastern and western facades. At the top of the minaret's main shaft, intricate mosaic tilework with geometric patterns adorns a wide band, complemented by saw-toothed merlons, typical of Moroccan architecture, embellished with further mosaic tilework, crowning the structure.