Qaraouine University in Fes is the oldest, continuously operating and first degree-awarding educational institution in the world. It was founded by a Muslim woman, Fatima al-Fahri in 859 and became one of the premier spiritual and educational centers in the Muslim world. It is open to both men and women, but not non-Muslims, hence my dearth of photos. The medersa Bou Anania, a religious college and mosque built at the request of the University between 1351 and 1356 is open to the public, with the exception of its attached mosque. It is the only medersa in Fes with a minaret.
The Bab Bou Jeloud, or Blue Gate, marks the western entrance to old Fez and the quarter which contains the University and medersa. You can see the minaret of the mosque of the medersa through the gate.
The entrance to the University. This is the only view non-Muslims can get of the educational institution.
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The mosque of the Medersa, however, is open to the courtyard. Here you can see the prayer rugs and the mihrab (niche facing mecca).
Here is the pool where the faithful perform their ablutions before prayer.
The top of the minaret. You can see the green tiles and the wood indicator pointing towards Mecca.
The small windows are the dormitories for students who travel far to study.
One of two entrances to the mosque. The area to the left of the door contains classrooms.
Detail of the calligraphy done in cedar, plaster, and tile.
It's difficult to see, but the dome of this ceiling is carved cedar wood.
Marble floor of the entry plaza. And my feet.
Detail of the zellij tile. Note the five-pointed stars for the five pillars of Islam.
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