Description of the attraction
The Moulay Idris Mosque is one of the ancient mosques in Fez. This mosque was closed to people of non-Muslim faith for a very long time. Until 2005, in general, only infidels could spend the night in the city. The holiness of Fez can be explained quite simply - it was here that the most revered saint of the country and the founder of the first Arab city in Morocco, Moulay Idris, was buried.
The Moulay-Idris Mosque was built in the 9th century. It is distinguished by its simplicity and lack of decor - these principles of architecture were adhered to during the time of its construction. The mosque is decorated with a high minaret, built at the end of the XIX century. The main feature of the minaret is its cylindrical shape, while all other minarets have a regular quadrangular cut. The green minaret is decorated with Arabic inscriptions located along its entire circumference. The minaret stands out very beautifully against the background of the snow-white walls of the Moulay-Idris mosque.
Tourists of non-Muslim faith are not allowed to go inside the mosque; they can only admire the beauty of the minaret and the mosque itself from outside. Since the sultan's mausoleum is located inside, access to it is also limited.
If you are lucky, you can see the prayer yard through the ajar doors. It is never empty here. People come from all over the country to worship the Muslim saint. A special memorial plaque with a small hole was made in the wall of the mausoleum, into which Muslim believers stick their hand in order to communicate with the soul of the saint. They say that the water from the fountain in the wall of the mausoleum has healing properties.
Walking around the Moulay Idris Mosque, tourists can admire the carved multi-colored porticoes, magnificent wall tiles and carved décor that adorn every door of the mosque.
