Bab Bou Jeloud

Or, as tourists simply call it, the "Blue Gate," the famous blue gate of the old city (Medina). Ahead of us lies a delicate geometric pattern of bright blue zellij tiles. Built in 1913 during the French occupation of Morocco, it serves as the main entrance to the Medina. But what makes it so memorable is its "color." The exterior is blue, the symbolic color of Fez, while the interior is green, a color that represents the Islamic religion. As we enter the archway, we see the minaret of the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque. Built in the 9th century by a woman named Fatima al-Fihri, the mosque is hailed as the "oldest university in the world" before the term "university" even existed. Below the minaret, daily life is bustling with activity. Locals shop, vendors beckon, and vendors beckon. Some alleys are filled with the aroma of pungent spices, and others are home to seemingly ordinary food markets, reflecting the city's culture. Like the scene we see today. A young man weighs snails on an old iron scale. He scoops them into plastic bags and hands them to waiting customers. These snails are boiled in a herbal broth made with cumin, cinnamon, and pepper. Locals call them babbouche, a popular and affordable snack in the medina, and considered Fez's traditional "street food." These images tell us that this city is more than just its old walls or its reputation as a sacred university. It's a living, breathing city, with its people, shops, and simple street food that will last a lifetime. #medina #FesElBal #Morroco