Attraction
Bou Inania Madrasa
A 14th-century Marinid madrasa near Bab Bou Jeloud, built for Sultan Abu Inan Faris and known for its marble courtyard, carved cedar and minaret.
Al Batha Museum of Islamic Arts
A late 19th-century royal palace near Bab Bou Jeloud that reopened in 2025 as a museum of Islamic arts, with Fes ceramics, historic minbars and a walled garden.
At a glance
- Type
- Museum of Islamic arts in a former palace
- Area
- Batha, Fes, Morocco
Good to know
- Andalusian garden
- Ceramics collection
- Historic palace
Why we recommend it
The Al Batha Museum occupies Dar Batha, a palace begun by Sultan Hassan I in the late 19th century and finished and embellished by his son Abdelaziz. It was used as a summer palace and as a residence for important guests, and after 1912 it housed services of the French Resident-General. In 1915 it became a museum of local arts, and it was classified as a national monument in 1924. After a long renovation that began in 2019, it reopened on 26 February 2025 under the name Al Batha Museum of Islamic Arts.
The collection numbers around 6,500 objects and is one of the best introductions to the crafts of Fes. Highlights include architectural fragments from the Idrisid period, the remains of the 9th-century minbar of the Mosque of the Andalusians and the 14th-century minbar from the Bou Inania Madrasa. There are also historic Qur'ans, astrolabes, musical instruments, carpets and jewellery, and a large collection of the cobalt-blue ceramics for which Fes is known. Seeing these pieces first makes the madrasas and fountains of the medina easier to read afterwards.
The garden is as much a reason to come as the galleries. Laid out in 1915 by the French landscape designer Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier, it is an Andalusian-style riad garden divided into four parts around a central fountain, and it takes up more than half the palace's area. Palms, jacarandas and hibiscus give shade, and it is a calm place to sit after the noise of the souks. The garden is also associated with the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music, which has held concerts here.
Allow around an hour and a half for the galleries and garden. The museum suits anyone interested in design, architecture or crafts, and the garden is a welcome break for families with children. Opening hours and ticket arrangements have changed since the reopening, so check locally or with your riad before you go. Garden paths and old thresholds can be uneven, so take care if mobility is limited.
The museum stands on the western edge of Fes el-Bali, a few minutes' walk from Bab Bou Jeloud, and close to the point where the medina meets Fes el-Jdid. It pairs naturally with the Bou Inania Madrasa, whose original minbar is on display, and with a walk in the Jnan Sbil gardens nearby.
Al Batha Museum of Islamic Arts FAQs
What was Dar Batha originally?
A royal palace begun by Sultan Hassan I and completed by Sultan Abdelaziz, used as a summer palace and guest residence.
When did it reopen?
After renovation work that began in 2019, the museum reopened on 26 February 2025 as the Al Batha Museum of Islamic Arts.
What are the highlights of the collection?
Fes blue ceramics, the remains of the 9th-century minbar of the Mosque of the Andalusians, the 14th-century Bou Inania minbar, astrolabes, carpets and jewellery.
How large is the collection?
It holds around 6,500 objects.
Who designed the garden?
Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier laid out the Andalusian-style garden in 1915.
How long should I allow?
About 90 minutes covers the galleries and a rest in the garden.
Where is it?
On the western edge of Fes el-Bali, a few minutes' walk from Bab Bou Jeloud.
Is it good for families?
Yes. The collection is varied and the shaded garden gives children space away from the busy lanes.