Did you know that the name of Medersa Cherratine translates to school of the rope makers? This historic Islamic school stands as a testament to Fez’s rich cultural and architectural heritage.
The Medersa Cherratine was built in 1670 by the Alaouite Sultan Moulay al-Rashid. It was the first cultural and scientific achievement of the Alaouite dynasty. The madrasa replaced an older one. It was known as the Madrasa el Lebbadin. Traditional sources say it was demolished because of raucous students.
Step inside the Medersa Cherratine. Imagine students from Algeria the Rif and the Tafilalt seeking knowledge within these walls. This was their home away from home. The Medersa Cherratine provided lodging for students. They came from afar in search of science and knowledge. It could house between 130 and 150 students. The Medersa Cherratine could seat 300 students from the Qaraouiyine university.
Note the building’s design. It is a blend of brick and cedar wood. Pass through the decorated doorway and into the central courtyard. A fountain with a marble bowl sits in the center. The courtyard is surrounded by a gallery on all four sides. Look up at the blind arches and the carved arabesque motifs. The wooden lintels are adorned with stucco corbels.
The Medersa Cherratine is different from other 14th-century Merinid dynasty madrasas. The building is sparsely decorated compared to older Marinid madrasas in the city. But the interior design of the Medersa Cherratine is of unprecedented splendor. Plaster zellige and carved wood compete in beauty.
The southeast side of the portico leads to a rectangular prayer hall. Find the mihrab. This wall niche symbolizes the direction of prayer. It is decorated with carved stucco.
Explore the upper floors. You will see small student dorm rooms. Discover the small inner courtyards with multi-story galleries. Admire the restrained stucco and wooden decoration.
Since 1917 the Medersa Cherratine has been classified as a historic heritage monument in Morocco. In 1981 the Cherratine Madrasa was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of Medina of Fez. As you leave the Medersa Cherratine remember its legacy. It stands as a jewel of Moroccan cultural and architectural heritage.