Sunset at the Marinid Tombs

In the late afternoon we made our way out of the busy medina into a quieter, more residential area. A small path led us through a cemetery and up the hill, where the ruins of the Marinid Tombs sit. They’re not much more than crumbling walls now, but they were once part of a royal burial site built in the 14th century for the Marinid dynasty.

The Marinids were an Amazigh dynasty that ruled Morocco from the 13th to the 15th century. They made Fez their capital and even built a whole new district called Fes el-Jdid (“New Fez”) in 1276, which became the seat of government and the royal palace. They were also known for building madrasas, which are Islamic schools that combined religious study with other subjects. Many of these madrasas still stand today and are some of the most beautiful historic buildings in Fez.

By the time we reached the top of the hill, the sun was setting. The call to prayer echoed across the valley, and people—locals and tourists—lined up along the ridge to take in the view. Watching the city lights flicker on while standing among centuries-old ruins was a pretty special way to see Fez.Read more