There are many spectacular city gates scattered around Fez, Morocco, but one of them stands in stark contrast to all the others. Bab Bou Jeloud, commonly known as the Blue Gate, is one of the city’s most recognizable symbols and for a good reason.
Many ramparts and gates surround Fez to this day, and they mostly had a defensive function at the time of their building. Later in history, with the advancement of early modern welfare, they could no longer withstand any serious threat and started serving a mainly decorative role.
The structure that’s now known as Bab Bou Jeloud has been around since the 12th century, but it didn’t look this way back then. It was reconstructed in 1913, and it was meant to serve as the grand entrance to the old city. Built in the Moorish architectural style, this gate is instantly recognizable thanks to its blue tiles.
If you want to pass through the Blue Gate while in Fez, just head to the Fes el Bali, one of the city’s most lively districts. The Blue Gate is its most popular landmark, but this neighborhood is home to several other top attractions, including Chouara Tannery and Bou Inania Madrasa.
