Abu Said Uthman II completed the Al-Attarine Madrasa in 1325 and it takes its name, which means “Madrasa of the Perfumers,” from its location by a historic souk selling perfume and spices. It was a religious high school for high-achieving (all-male) students, many of whom went on to study at neighboring Kairaouine University, founded in 859 AD. Many Fez medina walking tours include a visit to this serenely beautiful space, the perfect contrast to the hubbub of the narrow streets outside.
The Al-Attarine Madrasa sits in the heart of Fez’s medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, next to the Kairaouine Mosque. Bus 10 runs to Bab Guissa gate from the train station and the madrasa is about a 10-minute walk south.
The madrasa is open from morning until late afternoon, seven days a week. It’s best to visit Fez medina on a day that’s not Friday as many shops close for prayers from lunchtime onwards.
Founded in 808 AD, Fez offers a wealth of architectural treats. While only Muslims can enter the Kairaouine Mosque, its green-tiled roofs and towering minaret stand proud above the medina. More accessible highlights include the Bou Inania Medersa, a 14th-century Islamic college with gorgeous zellige tilework, the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts, housed in an 18th-century trading inn, and the Chouara Tannery, where leatherworkers ply their smelly trade in almost medieval conditions.
