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Attarine & Cherratine Madrasa Fez

Al-Attarine Madrasa

The Attarine and Cherratine Madrasas are one of the finest in Fez. The al-Attarine is situated near the Mosque of al-Qarawiyyin. The name means “the madrasa of the perfumers,” takes its name from its location at the entrance to a historic spice and perfume market in Fez. This madrasa was built by the Merinid Sultan Abu Said Uthman II between 1323 and 1325. The courtyard, as the most public of the spaces within the madrasa, was therefore the focus of the ornament that would highlight the generous image of the madrasa’s founder.

Entry door to the courtyard - seen from inside
Entry door to the courtyard - seen from inside
Walls surrounding the inner courtyard of the Attarine Madrasa
Walls surrounding the inner courtyard of the Attarine Madrasa
Plaster work on richly decorated walls - Attarine and Cherratine Madrasa Fez
Plaster work on richly decorated walls - Attarine and Cherratine Madrasa Fez
Open sky seen from the courtyard of the Attarine Madrasa
Plater work on two walls of the courtyard
Plater work on two walls of the courtyard
Decorative details of the Attarine Madrasa Fez
Fine details of an arch inside the courtyard
Mehrab of the Attarine Madrasa
A wall next to the ceiling - Attarine and Cherratine Madrasa Fez
Wooden ceiling of the Attarine Madrasa
Wooden ceiling of the Attarine Madrasa
Details above the door to the courtyard
Details above the door to the courtyard
Arabic inscriptions on a wall
Arabic inscriptions on a wall
Some of the finest plaster work on the wall
Some of the finest plaster work on the wall
Mottifs on a wall of the madrasa
Mottifs on a wall of the madrasa
Colourful motifs beside the central courtyard
Colourful motifs beside the central courtyard

Cherratine Madrasa

A wonderful building of Cherratine Madrasa in Fez was built by Sultan Moulay Rachid in 1670. It is one of the largest madrasas in Fez. It served as the residence and school for students who attended the nearby al-Qarawiyyin University. It is an integral part of the history and culture of the city. Built around a typical courtyard, with the central fountain. The walls of the courtyard are adroned with wood work and stucco plaster.

Open sky seen from the courtyard of Cherratine Madrasa in Fez
Open sky seen from the courtyard of Cherratine Madrasa in Fez
Interior of the central courtyard
A decorated wall inside the courtyard
Plaster stucco and wood work on the walls
Two walls join in the corner - Attarine and Cherratine Madrasa Fez
Two walls join in the corner - Attarine and Cherratine Madrasa Fez
Lamps hang in front of the mehrab
Lamps hang in front of the mehrab
Ceiling of the Cherratine Madrasa
Ceiling of the Cherratine Madrasa
Myself standing in the courtyard of the Cherratine Madrasa
A small fountain inside the courtyard