Bab Ftouh

Bab Ftouh is one of the many gates that pierce the ramparts of the medina of Fes, this thousand-year-old city inscribed on the World Heritage list. Like its counterparts, it bears witness to Almohad and Merinid defensive architecture, with its stones weathered by time and its vaulted passage that maintains coolness even in midsummer. Less monumental than Bab Boujloud, it retains a touching authenticity in its neighbourhood preserved from mass tourism.

The passage of Bab Ftouh opens onto steep alleyways where residents go about their daily business, offering a glimpse of ordinary Fassi life. It is a discreet entry point for those who want to explore the medina differently, far from marked circuits. Lovers of vernacular architecture and photographers will find interesting frames on the enclosure walls. Freely accessible, this gate can be discovered whilst strolling through the residential neighbourhoods of Fes el-Bali.