Exploring the Nejjarine Museum of Wood Arts and Crafts on Morocco Tours
The Nejjarine Museum of Wood Arts and Crafts is not just a museum. It is a celebration of the forgotten art of woodworking. Located in the heart of the Fes medina, at the center of Place Nejjarine, this stunning institution is housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century "fondouq," a traditional inn that once served traveling merchants and their camels. On Morocco tours, a visit here offers a completely different experience from the leather tanneries or the ceramic workshops. It is quiet, refined, and deeply respectful of the craftsmanship that built Morocco's ancient cities. The building itself was painstakingly restored over a decade by the Fondation Mohamed VI pour la Réhabilitation des Médinas, reopening in 1998 as the first museum in Fes dedicated exclusively to the art of wood . On Morocco tours, stepping through the massive bronze doors into the three-story courtyard, surrounded by intricately carved galleries and balconies, you feel the weight of centuries of trade and artistry.
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What to See at the Nejjarine Museum on Morocco Tours
On Morocco tours, the collection at the Nejjarine Museum is the main attraction, but the building rivals the exhibits. As you wander through the rooms on the upper floors, you will encounter an incredible array of wooden objects from across Morocco. The collection spans centuries, showcasing the skill of master carpenters from Fes, Marrakech, Tetouan, and the Atlas Mountains. You will see intricately carved wedding chests (known as "sunduq"), ornate bookstands for Quranic manuscripts, and beautifully painted "mashrabiyya" screens that allowed women to observe the street without being seen. On Morocco tours, there are also displays of astrolabes, wooden agricultural tools, and massive carved doors from ancient palaces. Each piece is displayed in a glass case, lit perfectly to highlight the grain of the cedar wood, the paint of the floral motifs, and the precision of the joinery. The information panels are in Arabic, English, and French, explaining the techniques and symbolism behind each object.
The Restored Fondouq Architecture
The building that houses the Nejjarine Museum is a masterpiece of restoration. This "fondouq" was built in the 18th century by Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdellah. It served as a caravanserai, a place where traveling merchants would store their goods (including carpets, textiles, and spices) on the ground floor and sleep in the rooms upstairs . On Morocco tours, the architecture is stunning in its functional simplicity. The three-story building is arranged around a central rectangular courtyard. The ground floor features massive stone pillars and arches that once sheltered the camels and donkeys of the caravans. The upper floors are ringed with wooden galleries, supported by rows of elegant columns. Each of the 45 guest rooms opens onto these galleries. The restoration was meticulous, replacing damaged cedar wood while preserving the original spirit of the building. On Morocco tours, looking up from the courtyard, you can see the intricate wooden "muqarnas" (honeycomb) carvings in the eaves and the traditional "bejmat" terracotta tiles on the floor.
The Famous Nejjarine Fountain
Before you even enter the museum, you will encounter one of the most iconic sights in Fes: the Nejjarine Fountain. Located just outside the museum walls in the small Place Nejjarine, this fountain is a masterpiece of Andalusian-Moorish design. It was built in the 19th century and is famous for its elaborate woodwork and ceramic tile decoration . On Morocco tours, you will see local women and men filling water jugs here, just as they have for centuries. The fountain is covered by a massive, intricately carved wooden canopy that hangs over the water basin, protecting it from the sun. The surrounding tiles are a riot of geometric patterns in green, white, and blue. It is a favorite spot for photographers. On Morocco tours, arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon offers the best lighting for capturing this beautiful public work of art.
The Rooftop Cafe and Views
After exploring the three floors of the museum, do not miss the rooftop cafe. On Morocco tours, this is the best view in the Fes medina. The terrace offers a stunning, panoramic view of the old city, with the minarets of the mosques rising above the sea of terracotta rooftops. You can see the Bou Inania Madrasa, the Qarawiyyin Mosque, and the hills of the Atlas Mountains in the distance. The cafe serves mint tea, coffee, and soft drinks, along with light snacks. On Morocco tours, sitting here for thirty minutes, watching the storks circle overhead and listening to the distant calls of the muezzin, is a serene and magical experience. It is the perfect place to rest after a long morning of walking through the chaotic souks.
The Location and Its History
The Nejjarine Museum is located in the heart of the Fes medina, in the district known for its carpenters and woodworkers. The name "Nejjarine" comes from the Arabic word "nejjar," meaning carpenter. For centuries, this area was the center of woodworking in Fes, and the sounds of saws and hammers would have filled the air. On Morocco tours, understanding this context makes the museum visit even richer. You are standing on a site that has been dedicated to the mastery of wood for over a thousand years. The fondouq itself was built specifically to serve the merchants who traded in these wooden goods. On Morocco tours, the museum is a tribute to the district's heritage, ensuring that the skills of the "najjar" (carpenter) are not forgotten.
Best Time to Visit the Nejjarine Museum on Morocco Tours
The best time for Morocco tours to visit the Nejjarine Museum is in the late morning, around 10:30 AM, just after it opens. The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. By arriving early, you will beat the large tour groups that often arrive around noon. The light in the courtyard is best at this time, creating dramatic shadows on the wooden galleries. On Morocco tours, you can comfortably spend an hour to an hour and a half exploring the museum, plus another hour relaxing on the rooftop cafe. The museum is a cool escape from the heat of the Fes medina, making it an ideal destination for a hot afternoon.
How to Get to the Nejjarine Museum on Morocco Tours
On Morocco tours, finding the Nejjarine Museum is one of the easier navigation tasks in the Fes medina. The museum is located at Place Nejjarine, a relatively large square (for the medina) that is well marked on tourist maps. It is very close to the Batha Museum and the Bou Inania Madrasa. If you enter the medina from Bab Bou Jeloud (the famous blue gate), you will walk straight for about 10 minutes, and you will see the museum on your right. Because Fes is a labyrinth, it is highly recommended to hire a local guide or use a GPS mapping app on your phone. On Morocco tours, most guides will stop here as it is a highlight of the city.
Where to Stay on Morocco Tours near the Nejjarine Museum
On Morocco tours, staying in the Batha district or the northern part of the medina puts you within walking distance of the Nejjarine Museum. For luxury travelers, the famous Palais Faraj Suites & Spa is nearby. For a more authentic experience, there are countless beautiful riads tucked into the streets between Bab Bou Jeloud and the museum. Staying in this area is very convenient, as it is close to the main entrance of the medina and many of the top attractions. On Morocco tours, booking accommodation near Place Nejjarine ensures you are never far from the beating heart of Fes.
Why Book with Dav Safaris for Morocco Tours
Booking your Morocco tours with Dav Safaris ensures you have the time and context to appreciate the Nejjarine Museum fully. We can arrange private guided tours of the Fes medina that include priority access to the museum, allowing you to maximize your time with the collection. Our guides are experts in the history of Moroccan craftsmanship and can explain the difference between the cedar carvings of Fes and the walnut pieces of the High Atlas. On Morocco tours with Dav Safaris, we handle the logistics of navigating the medina, from your riad booking to your transport, so you don't have to worry about getting lost. You focus on the intricate woodwork, the stunning fountain, and the peaceful terrace views. We handle everything else on your Morocco tours.
