باب الكيسة

Bab Guissa

Bab Guissa is the main north-western gate of Fes el-Bali, an Almohad gate with a bent entrance that opens onto the lanes down to the Qarawiyyin. The Bab Guissa Mosque stands just inside it.

Plan a day from this gate Read its story

Named for an 11th-century emir; the way down to the Qarawiyyin.Plan a day from this gate

Fes el-Bali, northern wall on the Qarawiyyin bank
Almohad, early 13th century (rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake)
Also written Bab Gisa, Bab Ghissa, Bab Ajissa, باب عجيسة

Bab Guissa, Fes. Photo: Adert, CC BY-SA 4.0

The story of Bab Guissa

A gate of this name stood here from the 11th century. It took its name from the Zenata emir 'Ajisa ibn Dunas, who ruled the western city of al-'Aliya between 1059 and 1061, while his brother al-Fetouh held the eastern city. en.wikipedia.org (source, opens in a new tab)

The Almoravids joined the two cities inside one wall in 1069. The Almohads pulled the walls down in 1145, and Muhammad al-Nasir rebuilt them. The present gate is believed to date essentially from his work. en.wikipedia.org (source, opens in a new tab)

The Marinid sultan Abu Yusuf Ya'qub restored the gate in the 13th century, and it was repaired or rebuilt again after the earthquake of 1755. en.wikipedia.org (source, opens in a new tab)

The area around the gate was known for a bird market and for public storytellers. en.wikipedia.org (source, opens in a new tab)

Where Bab Guissa is

Pinned on OpenStreetMap, with the walks from the gate to the places nearest it. Each one links to its own guide.

Bab Guissa is a gate in the walls. These are the places closest to it, with the walk to each one through the lanes:

Close by

Plan a day from this gate

Suggestions to start from: each day can begin at Bab Guissa or take in the places around it. Private or small-group, with a guide who lives here, and quoted for your dates.

Carved plaster walls and the minaret of the Bou Inania madrasa under a blue sky with clouds

Full day from FesFes el-Bali Medina & TanneriesA full day on foot through Fes el-Bali with a local historian — Bab Boujloud, the Qaraouiyine, Bou Inania medersa and the Chouara tanneries from a private terrace.See how the day runs

Questions about Bab Guissa

What people ask us before they walk through it.

Who was Bab Guissa named after?

'Ajisa ibn Dunas, a Zenata emir who ruled the Qarawiyyin side of Fes from 1059 to 1061. His brother al-Fetouh gave his name to Bab Ftouh.

How old is Bab Guissa?

A gate stood here from the 11th century. The present structure is believed to be the Almohad gate of Muhammad al-Nasir, from the early 13th century, with later Marinid and 18th-century repairs.

How far is the Qarawiyyin from Bab Guissa?

Mapped walking routes run about 600 metres downhill, roughly a 9-minute walk.

What is next to Bab Guissa?

Inside the gate are the Bab Guissa Mosque and its madrasa. Outside are the Bab Guissa Cemetery and, on the hill above, the Marinid Tombs.

Start at Bab Guissa. We'll plan the rest of the day with you.

Tell us what drew you in. Your dates, who is travelling and what you want to see.
A person reads it. We write a day-by-day plan for your group, private or small-group.
You change anything. Then we confirm the guides, drivers and riads.

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