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Fez – Visiting Jewish Morocco

Captured 2025-11-22

108

Archived Document

Fez – Visiting Jewish Morocco

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This webpage provides a comprehensive historical and cultural overview of Jewish heritage in Fez, Morocco, focusing on the ancient mellah (Jewish quarter) and its significance as one of the most historically important Jewish communities in North Africa. The page serves as both an educational resource and travel guide for those interested in exploring Morocco's Jewish heritage, documenting over 650 years of continuous Jewish presence in this imperial city. The content centers around several key historical narratives and sites, most notably the tragic story of Lalla Solica, a Jewish martyr whose tombstone is featured prominently. Born in Tangier in 1817, Solica became a symbol of religious devotion when she was executed in 1834 for refusing to convert to Islam after a spurned Muslim suitor falsely claimed she had already converted. Her story illustrates the complex dynamics between Jewish and Muslim communities in 19th-century Morocco. The page also highlights the connection to Maimonides, the renowned Jewish scholar who lived in Fez from 1159-1165 before fleeing Almohad persecutions, and explores the founding of Fez itself, noting how Moulay Idriss II actively encouraged Jewish settlement to benefit from Jewish commercial and intellectual skills, in contrast to his father's antagonistic policies. The historical context reveals the evolution of Jewish-Muslim relations in Morocco, from the early Islamic conquests through medieval tolerance to modern challenges. The page explains how the mellah's location adjacent to the royal palace provided both protection (as during the 1912 pogrom) and proximity to power, while the nearby cemetery became the resting place for numerous Jewish saints, making it the most significant Jewish burial ground in Morocco. This positioning reflects the complex relationship between Moroccan Jews and the monarchy throughout history. Notable features include detailed descriptions of surviving Jewish institutions, particularly the well-organized Centre Communautaire "Maimonide" established in the 1980s, which houses a kosher restaurant serving traditional mahia (anise-flavored liqueur), and the architecturally significant Roben Ben Sadoun Synagogue from the 1920s, decorated with intricate plasterwork reminiscent of Islamic architectural traditions. The page serves as both historical documentation and practical guide, acknowledging the declining Jewish population while celebrating ongoing efforts to preserve this rich cultural heritage for both the remaining community and visitors interested in Morocco's multicultural past.

Citation (APA Style)

Fez – Visiting Jewish Morocco. (2025, 11 22). moroccanjews.org. https://moroccanjews.org/home/sites-of-jewish-interest/the-imperial-cities/fez/

Technical Metadata

Domain moroccanjews.org
File Size 499 KB
Archived 2025-11-22T15:58:22.300038
Document ID #108
Languages 5 available