The Jewish Quarter of Fez: A Millennium in the Mellah

In this episode of The Story of Morocco, Lucas and Luna explore the history of Fez's Jewish quarter—the Mellah. Founded in the 14th century under the Marinid dynasty, the Mellah was not a ghetto but a vibrant center of Jewish life, trade, and scholarship. Lucas traces the community's roots back to the Idrisid era, explains the etymology of the word 'Mellah' (meaning salt, from the salted heads displayed there), and details life under successive dynasties: Marinids, Saadians, and Alaouites. He highlights key figures like Rabbi Eliyahu ha-Kohen and the role of Jewish merchants in trans-Saharan trade. The episode also covers the decline of the Mellah in the 20th century, with waves of emigration to Israel, France, and Canada following the establishment of the state of Israel and the Six-Day War. Today, the Mellah of Fez is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with restored synagogues and a museum that preserves its legacy. The conversation is a deep dive into a community that shaped Morocco's cultural and economic history for over a thousand years. #Mellah #Fez #JewishHistory #Morocco #Marinid #Saadian #Alaouite #RabbiEliyahuHaKohen #transSaharanTrade #UNESCO #Dhimmi #Sijilmasa #Makhzen #MoroccanJews #OperationYakhin #History #NorthAfrica #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo