Hello,
Today I'd like to tell you about Al-Karawiyin University, which I visited on my last trip to the city of Fes, a place steeped in rich history and deep cultural significance.
The idea for this visit came to me after reading a lot about Al-Karawiyin and discovering that it is considered to be the oldest university in the world, a fact officially recognised by UNESCO, and also recognised by Guinness World Records. This made me want to go and see for myself this historic monument that continues to preserve its grandeur through the centuries.
It is both a university and an impressive mosque, a symbol of knowledge and sharing. Since it was founded in 859 AD by a woman called Fatima Al-Fihriya, the university has attracted scholars from all over the world, becoming a beacon for education and spirituality.
Here I am in front of Al-Karawiyin University. This university, which has several entrances, has a main gate called Bab Al-Ward, the Gate of Flowers. That's exactly where I am right now...
Look at these golden doors, they're simply fascinating and eye-catching. Honestly, it's hard for me to take photos because there are so many visitors and tourists here, attracted by this magnificent view.
The name ‘Al-Karawiyin’ pays homage to the inhabitants of Kairouan, a historic city in Tunisia. These migrants settled in Fes during the era of the Idrissid dynasty, under the reign of Moulay Idriss I (I've already shared his mausoleum, which is in the town of ZARHOUN). Among these Tunisians, there was an extraordinary woman: Fatima Al-Fihriya. Born into a wealthy family, Fatima was the daughter of an influential jurist, himself a descendant of Oqba Ibn Nafi, the founder of Kairouan.
Along with her sister Mariam, Fatima inherited a large fortune after the death of their father. But instead of using it for personal needs, she showed exceptional generosity. She found that the Al-Karawiyin mosque had become too small to accommodate all the worshippers. Fatima decided to enlarge it in memory of her father. She used all her inheritance to rebuild the mosque, doubling its size and buying adjacent land. The result was an architectural marvel, built with remarkable care.
Over time, this mosque has been transformed into a veritable centre of learning. Just imagine: scholars sitting under the arcades, surrounded by students eager to learn. This is how the Al-Karawiyin mosque evolved, becoming much more than a place of prayer: it became a university in its own right. Thanks to this institution, Fes rose to the rank of an intellectual and cultural centre, rivalling prestigious cities such as Cordoba and Baghdad.
Under successive dynasties, notably the Almoravids and Almohads, the university underwent impressive transformations. The Almoravids, for example, added breathtaking architectural features: refined domes, remarkably elegant arches and superb Koranic inscriptions engraved on the walls. Later, the Marinids consolidated Fes' place as an intellectual capital by building more schools around it. You may remember my articles on two of these schools: Al-ATTARIN and BOU-INANIA ! They are jewels to be visited!
Today, the Al-Karawiyin mosque covers more than 3,000 square metres. It can accommodate up to 22,000 worshippers. With its 17 doors and central courtyard adorned with fountains, it is reminiscent of the famous Patio of the Lions at the Alhambra in Andalusia.
But that's not all: Al-Karawiyin also played a crucial role in cultural exchanges between the Islamic world and Europe. Did you know that it was the first university in the world to award a degree in medicine, in 1207? The recipient, Abdallah Ibn Saleh Al-Katami, officially became the first doctor in history to receive a degree. And among the great names associated with Al-Karawiyin are Ibn Khaldun, pioneer of sociology, Averroes (Ibn Rushd), famous philosopher and physician, and even Pope Sylvester II, who is said to have brought Arabic numerals to Europe after his visit here!
As for the Al-Karawiyin library, founded in 1350, it is a marvel in itself. A kind caretaker I was chatting to for a while told me that the university library contains rare manuscripts, some of them handwritten centuries ago. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to enter the library as it was closed at the time for some administrative reason, but just imagining the books and manuscripts inside this space was an experience in itself.
Visiting a place like this is like going back 1,200 years in history. For me, this discovery will remain engraved in my memory as one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
Finally, I'd like to thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed the photos I took and that I was able to convey a little of the beauty of the place to you. Don't forget to share your opinions in the comments, and stay tuned, as I have more visits to share with you soon from this beautiful historic city of Fes!
I'm Redwan from Morocco, a country rich in history, culture and natural landscapes! I've always had a passion for travelling and discovery. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than exploring new places, whether historical, archaeological or in the heart of nature. Through my blogs, you can discover the hidden gems of Morocco, whether you want to admire the fascinating architecture of a historic site, delve into the legends surrounding an archaeological site, or simply marvel at the beauty of Moroccan nature!
Photos taken by my own phone (Samsung Galaxy A04s).
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STOPWow, this is such an incredible experience! Reading about your visit to Al-Karawiyin University makes me feel like I’m right there with you. I’m so inspired by Fatima Al-Fihriya’s story and how her generosity shaped something so historic and meaningful.
Thank you so much for reading and for your words! Fatima Al-Fihriya's generosity touched me too. She was a great woman!
Wonderful visit. So much to see. I like the history of it.
Great captures of the details around you. The tiles are stunning.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Have a beautiful day. 😊
Thank you for your words @littlebee4 !
The history of the city of Fes is really lovely, and when you visit the ancient city of Fes (Medina) you really get the feeling that you're in Aladdin's world !
You are so welcome 🤗
I can imagine. Wonderful when a place can give you such a feeling.
Have a beautiful weekend!
that looks so wonder
Thank you very much for your comment @rrruelyn !
what a great place, great architecture, but even greater backstory and history. thank you for sharing this beautiful content here on hive
Thank you so much! Your words mean so much to me 😍
What a wonderful place to study. No wonder that north Africa back in the day had the most knowledge, bibliothecs etc. - With this ambient, everyone would love to hang around there and read <3
Thank you very much for your comment @lizanomadsoul 😊
It's true that Al-Karawiyin University exudes a unique atmosphere and exceptional architectural beauty. You can really imagine the students of yesteryear, lovingly and passionately immersed in their studies in this inspiring setting!
😎☀️👍 I am sure of that!
Hiya, @ybanezkim26 here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Top 3 in Travel Digest #2414.
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What wonderful news to hear that my post is one of the top 3 😍 Thank you so much Worldmappin 😘
You are very welcome @hierundjetzt! it was well deserved. ☀️
Keep up the great work 💪