University of Al-Quaraouiyine

Fatima al-Fihri, whose family had come to Fes from Kairouan in Tunisia, founded a mosque here in 859 with money she inherited, and the teaching that grew around it has continued without a break since - which is why the Guinness records and UNESCO both describe Quaraouiyine as the oldest existing, continually operating degree-granting educational institution in the world. It taught law, theology, grammar, astronomy and medicine, and Ibn Khaldun, Maimonides and Leo Africanus are among those connected to it. Non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque and the standard experience is glimpses through its doorways from the surrounding lanes, which give the courtyard, the fountains and the green tiles in fragments. The library, which holds manuscripts including a ninth-century Quran and a copy of Ibn Khaldun's Muqaddimah in his own hand, was restored between 2012 and 2016 under the architect Aziza Chaouni and now admits visitors to part of it.

What you actually see

• An 859 foundation - endowed by Fatima al-Fihri and running without a break since.
• Doorway glimpses - the courtyard and green tiles seen from the lanes by non-Muslims.
• The restored library - reopened in 2016, with part of it accessible.
• Manuscripts - including a ninth-century Quran and Ibn Khaldun in his own hand.

When to go

October to April. An hour. Prayer times close the doorways to view.

Honest expectations

Non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque - the view is through doorways only. Library access is limited and manuscripts are not generally on open display. The lanes around it are dense and easy to lose. Guides in the area are persistent.

Nearby

The Attarine madrasa is adjacent; the Zaouia of Moulay Idriss II is close.