Saffarin Madrasa

Saffarin Madrasa (Arabic: مدرسة الصفارين‎, lit. 'madrasa of the metalworkers') is a madrasa in Fez, Morocco. The madrasa is located inside Fes el Bali, the old medina quarter of the city. The madrasa dates back to the 13th century during the golden age of the city of Fez under the rule of the Marinid dynasty. Commissioned by the Sultan Abu Yaqub, it was the first of many madrasas built in the same period of the Marinid-era.

Description

Saffarin Madrasa equips features which can be observed in the other madrasas of the same era. It is a small madrasa, with lavish sahn on the ground floor surrounded by accommodations for students. It prominently uses the zellige tiles and carved woods and stuccos, artistic characteristics which taken from the Nasrid Palace of Alhambra. The madrasa became a model for subsequently constructed madrasas for these features, with most of the Marinid-era foundations in Fez having such artistic and architectural elements.[1][2]

The institution was also noted for the closeness to the University of Al Quaraouiyine and the attached library. It served multiple other functions besides the role as an educational institution. It often hosted official ceremonies of the quarter, as well as the building was used as a mosque. The building also had guest houses and provided place for waqf (charitable endowment). As such, it was a center of the local community life.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Saffarin Madrasa. Archnet. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  2. ↑ مدرسة الصفارين.. أول مدرسة بنتها الدولة المريني. Maghress. Retrieved January 23, 2018.

Coordinates: 34°3′50.95″N 4°58′21.26″W / 34.0641528°N 4.9725722°W / 34.0641528; -4.9725722

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