Jewish Cemetery of Fes, Fes

Within the Mellah, or Jewish District, lies the Jewish Cemetery, founded by Morocco's Jews, which welcomes visitors free of charge (although some unscrupulous guides may request a token payment). With nearly 13,000 Jews laid to rest here, the site forms a serene landscape of tightly packed, pristine white gravestones cascading down the hillside toward the river.

Evidence of regular visits can be seen in the candles and pebbles found in the nooks of the tombs, and often on top of them. Among the most visited and distinctive are those of Rabbi Yehuda Ben Attar from the 18th century, covered in peppermint and black mosaic tiles, and Lalla Solica Hatchouel, its bright green roof crowned by three vase-like turrets. Hatchouel's tragic story adds to the cemetery's intrigue; she was executed at the tender age of 17 for refusing to convert to Islam and marry Prince Moulay Abderrahman, earning veneration as a martyr.

Adjacent to the cemetery stands the beautifully restored Slat Alfassiyine synagogue, which has been transformed into a museum (with admission by donation). Nearby, the Ibn Danan Synagogue, also dating back to the 17th century, offers further insights into Morocco's rich Jewish heritage.