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Description
Funduq el‑Nejjarine, constructed in 1711 by Amin Adiyil under Sultan Isma’il ibn Sharif, originally served as a bustling caravanserai—a combined inn and warehouse for merchants—in the heart of Fez el‑Bali’s medina. The structure features a three-story courtyard with cedar wood and stucco, where traders stored goods on the ground floor and stayed in the upper levels. A monumental entrance with carved wooden canopy, intricate stucco, and tilework welcomes visitors from Nejjarine Square, crowned by the historic Nejjarine Fountain, which was added in the 19th century by Sultan Abd al-Rahman.
Declared a national historic monument in 1916, the building served as a police station during the French Protectorate before falling into neglect. After a major restoration from 1990 to 1996, it reopened in 1998 as the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts, a private museum dedicated to Morocco’s heritage in woodworking.
The museum displays a wide range of wooden artifacts crafted from cedar and thuya wood, including Andalusi-style panels, Amazigh friezes from the 14th to 18th centuries, traditional doors, musical instruments, and carved Qur’an boards used by students. The original layout is preserved, with storage rooms on the ground floor and living quarters on the upper levels, all overlooking a central courtyard. The rooftop tearoom offers panoramic views of the medina.
This architectural gem showcases a blend of Marinid and Alawi design elements—stucco arabesques, wooden balconies, zellij tilework, and carved cedar columns. It is a must-visit for anyone interested in Islamic art, woodworking, and Moroccan cultural heritage.