R'cif Square and R'cif Mosque, Fes

R'cif Square and R'cif Mosque, Fes

Though the cafés around the Blue Gate ("Bab Boujeloud") are always ripe with entertainment of the people-watching variety, head down to the R'cif Square to take in a truly authentic local experience, especially around sunset. Children play, women gather, and visitors can soak in the lively ambiance from the stadium-style seating.

The square's focal point is the so-called "Mosque of the Paved Road", a significant edifice with its towering minaret and imposing presence on the city's skyline. Built in the 18th century on the cliffside by the Bou Khrareb River, it serves as a landmark at the entrance to the nearby pier and the city's central markets (or "souqs").

Inside the mosque, you will find a spacious courtyard bordered by arcaded galleries, typical of Moroccan mosque architecture. At the center of the courtyard is a rectangular water basin, providing a place for ablutions, sheltered by a small pavilion. Meanwhile, the prayer hall, marked by rows of horseshoe arches, invites worshippers to engage in prayer and contemplation.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Fes. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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R'cif Square and R'cif Mosque on Map

Sight Name: R'cif Square and R'cif Mosque
Sight Location: Fes, Morocco (See walking tours in Fes)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Fes, Morocco

Create Your Own Walk in Fes

Create Your Own Walk in Fes

Creating your own self-guided walk in Fes is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Fes New Town Walking Tour

Fes New Town Walking Tour

Created by the French in the early 20th century, Ville Nouvelle (New Town) is a relatively modern central district of Fez. A far cry from the sensory overload provided by the old Medina, this neighborhood was originally designed to accommodate foreigners and affluent Moroccans only.

Still, Fez's Ville Nouvelle is as much 'real' Morocco as any donkey-packed lane in the old city....  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Fes Old Town Walking Tour

Fes Old Town Walking Tour

North and west of the fabled Atlas Mountains of North Africa is the ancient city of Fes, or Fez. It is centered on the Fes River.

In the year 789 Idris I founded the city and the Idrisid dynasty. The city was two settlements on either side of the river. In the 11th century, Sultan Yusuf ibn Tashfin established Almoravid rule. He united the settlements into Fes el-Bali. The Almoravids were...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles