Fes, Morocco· Concierge · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 GMT+1
Mellah, Fes · Photo: Holger Uwe Schmitt, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Mellah is the historic Jewish quarter of Fes, beside the Royal Palace in Fes el-Jdid, with origins in the 14th century. Its houses face the street with carved wooden balconies, unlike the inward-looking homes of the medina. You can visit the restored Ibn Danan Synagogue, the Jewish cemetery with its white tombs and the brass palace gates.
Beside the Royal Palace in Fes el-Jdid lies the Mellah, widely described as one of the oldest Jewish quarters in Morocco, with origins in the 14th century under the Marinid dynasty. For centuries it was home to a thriving Jewish community whose presence is woven into the long history of Fes; most of that community emigrated in the mid-20th century, but the quarter and its monuments remain. The Mellah looks unlike the rest of the medina: where Muslim medina houses turn inward around private courtyards, the houses here present carved wooden balconies and windows that face directly onto the street, giving the lanes a distinctive character. Within and around the quarter you can see the restored Ibn Danan Synagogue, the hillside Jewish cemetery with its white rounded tombs, the streets long associated with the goldsmith and jewellery trade, and, close by, the magnificent brass gates of the Royal Palace at the Place des Alaouites.
Pinned on OpenStreetMap, with the walk from the nearest gate. The places around it link to their own guides.
About 2 minutes on foot from Bab Semmarine باب السمارين, 130 m through the lanes.
The restored Ibn Danan Synagogue is the best-known historic synagogue of the Mellah and a highlight of any visit. A notable example of Moroccan Jewish religious architecture, it has been the subject of careful restoration and is generally open to visitors. Inside you can see the prayer hall, the ark and the traditional fittings that recall the religious life of the community that once filled the surrounding lanes.
On the slope at the edge of the quarter lies the Jewish cemetery, instantly recognisable by its rows of white, rounded tombs covering the hillside. It is a quiet, moving place and an important site of remembrance. Among the graves visitors are often shown the tomb of Solica (Lalla Solica), a young Jewish woman of Fes whose story is venerated locally. Visit calmly and respectfully, as you would any active place of memory.
The Mellah has long been associated with goldsmithing and the jewellery trade, a craft for which the quarter's artisans were historically known across Fes. As you walk the main street you can still see workshops and small shops connected to this tradition. It is a tangible link to the economic role the community played in the life of the city for centuries.
The streets and the palace square are open to all. The synagogue and the cemetery are looked after by caretakers, and at such sites it is customary to offer a small donation or tip to the caretaker who opens up and shows you around; carry some small change for this. Opening times can vary, so it is worth checking locally or going with a guide who knows the current arrangements.
These are sites of living heritage and remembrance, so a respectful approach matters. Dress modestly, keep your voice low in the synagogue and cemetery, and ask before photographing people or, where signs request it, religious interiors. Men may be asked to cover their heads in the synagogue. Treating the cemetery and synagogue as you would any active place of worship is both courteous and expected.
Because the Mellah, the synagogue, the cemetery and the palace gates are clustered together in Fes el-Jdid, they make a compact half-day that pairs well with the wider medina. A common plan is to start at the Royal Palace gates, walk through the Mellah and visit the synagogue and cemetery, then continue into Fes el-Bali for the souks, madrasas and Qarawiyyin, seeing the two faces of historic Fes in a single day.
A knowledgeable local guide adds a great deal here, explaining the history of the community, the meaning of the architecture and the stories attached to the cemetery, and smoothing access to the synagogue and other sites where a caretaker is involved. It also helps you navigate Fes el-Jdid and link the Mellah naturally to the rest of your time in the city.
The questions people ask us most before they plan a trip.
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Jnan Sbil GardensA green pause between the two old cities, with a lake and a waterwheel.Read the guide
