Bab Boujloud, also known as the Blue Gate, is the ornate main entrance to Fès el-Bali, the old walled medina of Fes in Morocco. Its address is Place Bou Jeloud, Fès el-Bali, and it stands as the iconic gateway for anyone entering the ancient city on foot.
What to see
- The gate's facade, decorated with blue and green zellige tiles, which give it its popular name.
- The arched entrance, a fitting first sight before the narrow lanes of the medina open up beyond it.
- The square in front of the gate, a busy meeting point where the new town meets the old.
The visit
The gate was built in 1913 and is often the first thing visitors photograph in Fes. Most people come to it as a doorway rather than a destination in itself, so it works well as a starting point for a walk through the medina. Plan a little time to look closely at the tilework, which is most striking in good light.
From the gate, the old city stretches inward with its markets, craft workshops, mosques and traditional houses. Walking in is the best way to experience the medina, though the lanes are narrow and can be confusing, so a local guide or a map is helpful for first-time visitors.
Bab Boujloud is a brief but rewarding stop, best combined with a longer wander through Fès el-Bali.