Like most cities with a century-long history, Fez is divided into two parts - the old city Fes El Bali and the new city Fes El-Jdid. There is a stone wall between these parts, a kind of historical and cultural border. And you can get from the new city to the old one through a beautiful gate in the fortress wall.

There are several gates of this kind in Fez. Most of them were built in the 11th century and had a utilitarian purpose: from the moment of their construction, they protected the city, and the creators did not have the goal to decorate or refine them. A truly beautiful gate to the old city, Bab Bou Jeloud, appeared here quite recently, in 1912. But they have become a real gem of Moroccan creativity.

Previously, there was a continuation of the wall here, including stables and several trade shops. There was the gate too, but it was very modest. It is still preserved, a low white passage next to the luxurious arches of Bab Bou Jeloud. Now the old gate is closed, it has not been used for more than a century.

The idea of the construction of the new gate belonged to the French, who at that time dominated Morocco. They wanted to decorate the city, make it more luxurious, mark the entrance to the old city with something special and memorable. Therefore, it was decided to build a new gate.

Bab Bou Jeloud was constructed when there was no need for the defense. Therefore, it can be considered as a decorative element that was supposed to attract attention, show all the luxury of the city, and become a worthy central entrance to the tangled alleys of the Old Medina.

Designed in the Moorish medieval style, the Bab Bou Jeloud gate consists of three arches: a large central one, and two a little bit smaller side arches. All the canons and rules for building fortress gates on the territory of old Africa are taken into account here.

At first, the locals were against the fact that Europeans were changing the appearance of their hometown. But when the work was finished, and a real masterpiece appeared before them, the citizens changed their minds. And now Bab Bou Jeloud is one of the main visiting cards of Fez.