When the library at Morocco’s al-Qarawiyyin University was first built in the 9th century, it was one of the world’s great centers for learning. Its sculpted dark wooden door stands almost hidden on the edge of a square where artisans hammer away at copper in a deafening din, delighting passing tourists. Al-Qarawiyyin Library was a hub of intellectualism for hundreds of years following its founding in 859 C.E. He was forced to be a slave of the Pope, he freed him after a year after converting him to Christianity. Idris declares that he is that man and says he will reverse the name of the ancient city that once lay there. Al-Qarawiyyin library, the oldest working library in the world, has undergone extensive renovations and was recently unveiled to the public in Fez, Morocco. Though the library isn't yet open to the public, it is expected to be in 2017. Sure, this gender-thing exists in Morocco, but it's still changed immensely from when I was a young girl and the time of my mother.". Fez’s location, and the landscapes that surrounded it, proved to be auspicious. The ancient al-Qarawiyyin Library in Fez isn’t just the oldest library in Africa. The library was built in 1359 AD and houses some of the country’s precious artifacts, including important manuscripts considered to be among the earliest copies to be produced in Islamic history. Rich traditions and heritage are very much alive here, but there is also a paradoxical youthfulness to the culture that will draw you in. Although the library was opened to the public in 839AD, a strict policy had been put in place, which restricted access to scholars only. Our program takes us to contemporary feats such as the Aswan Dam and also to current crucibles of the Egyptian experience such as Tahrir Square. The University of Al-Qarawiyyin’s library is considered the oldest library … If you’re interested in learning more about Morocco and its history, click here. Many liken it to stepping back in time as travellers get lost amongst the labyrinthine sandstone walls of the world’s largest car-free urban space. This library is located in Alexandria, Egypt. Inside the building, which was founded in 859, are priceless manuscripts including a ninth-century copy of the … Founded in 859, it’s the oldest working library in the world, holding ancient manuscripts that date as far back as 12 centuries. The project of collecting manuscripts and housing scholars... See full answer below. They were intelligent and pious women and rather than squandering away the money, they sought to invest it back into the community somehow. Marozzi describes him as ‘the most distinguished Qarawiyyin alumnus bar none’ (p. 153). You can put makeup on someone who is very ill, and they’ll look good for a few hours, but on the inside they’re still very sick, so it won’t last’. The university was established in 859 and offered courses on the Qur’an and religious texts and Al-Fihri is thought to have attended lectures there in her later years. Its 12-century-old manuscripts have been sources of knowledge for researchers and students around the world. (CNN) — The al-Qarawiyyin Library has long been a source of fascination for residents in Fez, Morocco, as few of them have ever passed through its doors. Picture of books at the Qarawiyyin library — TRT World. When talking about other restoration attempts that had been carried out, Chaouni told CityLab ‘The internal organs needed work. The Moroccan government agreed and the library now has a wing open to the public, which features an exhibition room and a café. The library was built in 1359 AD and houses some of the country’s precious artifacts, including important manuscripts considered to be among the earliest copies to be produced in Islamic history. Having developed a profound respect for education thanks to her family, Al-Fihri decided to put her money, as well as her time and dedication, into building an educational institution. The proximity of mountain ranges meant that the climate in Fez was considered more temperate than other parts of North Africa (though the it does still get very hot in summer!). Thanks to Chaouni, digital locks now guard access to these rare books and air-conditioning helps to prevent humidity from damaging their quality. Join our newsletter mailing list to gain exclusive access to special offers and promotions. In this article, we will discover the compelling story of the Qarawiyyin Library and University, ... Meknes and Rabat). Founded by a Muslim woman, the University of Al Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco, opened its doors in 859. A long challenge lay ahead of Chaouni with the last proper restoration project wrapping up decades earlier in the 1940s. Al Fihri was born in Qayrawan, Tunisia to a wealthy merchant family. "The heritage needs to live. Al-Qarawiyyin library, built in 859 in Fez during the reign of Sul­tan Abou Inane Al Marini, contains priceless treasures. Al-Qarawiyyin library in Fez, Morocco opened in 1359 C.E., at the University of Al-Qarawiyyin (also the world's oldest, built in 859 C.E.). While in Fez, he composed Mishneh Torah, a 14-volume text on Jewish law. Courtyard of Al Qarawiyyin Founded 12 centuries ago by Fatima al Fihri (AP photo Samia Errazouki) Since 2016, when the Moroccan public could finally see for themselves Aziza Chaouni’s restoration of Al-Qarawiyyin University’s ancient library, presses have printed hyperbolic headlines. This incredible city has a rich and vibrant history, from the oldest tanneries in the world, to the world’s oldest library in Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque. ", There's a perfect beach for every week of the year. Having over 4000 manuscripts, many of which date back to the 9th century. State-of-the-art machinery can mend holes in ancient paper rolls, and prevent cracks in ancient scrolls. "I was lucky that it was a lady from the Ministry who heard of me. "Hopefully, by digitizing, we can make some of these manuscripts available online, and spread the knowledge way beyond Fez and Morocco," she says. There is the opportunity to visit our Morocco, Jordan or Iran tours  before embarking on this tour of  Egypt. Built by a Woman, Restored by a Woman; Qarawiyyin, Symbol of Female Endeavor The article is a tribute to the Fez-born architect, Aziza Chaouni, who fought to reopen the Qarawiyyin library to the public, the oldest library in the… The mosque, which has space for 22,000 people and also an area for women’s worship, is the biggest one in Africa. The Qarawiyyin also compiled a large selection of manuscripts that were kept at a library founded by the Marinid Sultan Abu Inan Faris in 1349. He drew up plans for a new, grander capital but died before anything could be done about it. In 1526, he completed what would be his finest work A Geographical Historie of Africa. These first libraries consisted of … Join us on a 12-month journey to see them all. The result is true beauty. Libraries are centers of knowledge and learning around the world. al-Qarawiyyin Library in Fez, Morocco, is the oldest library in the world, but until last month, only researchers had access to it. It is said that Idris I decided that the capital Volubilis (now an excavated Berber city outside of Meknes) was too small a capital and sought something more lavish. One standout discovery for her was a hidden room that had a 12th century cupola made with intricate lattice wood. This 14th century library that grew from a 9th century mosque and university, founded by an heiress, Fatima al-Fihri, was once “the soul of the city,” says Fez-born architect Aziza Chaouni. Given that a branch of the Fez River ran underneath the library’s floor, Chaouni constructed an underground canal that diverted the river. Morocco guide: 10 things to know before you go, The Atlas Mountains: Morocco's hidden travel gem. "We were always discovering things as we were ripping out walls," she says. She wanted it to be a place people could visit and take in the history of Fez. Recently restored, the library is home to some incredible historical artefacts and offers a glimpse into the intricate and vibrant story of Fez, once the city of sultans. Proof, were it needed, that Egypt’s role as the pivot of civilisation is far from ended. She integrated new and sustainable technologies, like solar panels, an updated gutter system and water collection for garden irrigation. all thanks to its founder—Fatima al-Fehri. Ethiopia: Site of the Ark of the Covenant? Qarawiyyin library holds written wonders Friday 02/12/2016. This minaret is in the rear of the Mosque opposite the mihrab and qibla wall in a similar fashion to those found in Qayrawan and the Great Mosque of Cordoba. Legend has it that while Idris II was looking for a site he encountered a Christian monk (supposedly the monk was over 150 years old). You'll have these narrow streets and find a small door that enters into an amazing courtyard.". Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I've seen numerous articles online that mention that the library is now open to the general public but after visiting with a guide today I was told that entry is not allowed. When their father died, Fatima used her inheritance to create the library and mosque. "It was this extremely refined and unusual type of roof that was hidden away," she recalls. Opened in 859, it is thought to be the world's oldest library, and the maze of rooms were closed off to all but a few scholars and students of the university where it was housed. Women Get Stuff Done . Read on to learn more about this spiritual and cultural powerhouse and the role it has played in shaping the Fez we know today. But modern life had taken a toll on the library, with its buildings falling into disrepair. You can thank two boss women for your access to this historic space. Over the next four years, Chaouni and her team worked hard to transform the remarkable institution into a place that reflected its glory. In the early 9th century, they left Tunisia to settle in Fez, along with many other migrants. Morocco is a gateway: step through and discover a world of colour, diversity and wonder, unlike anything you have experienced before. Chaouni added a new lab to treat, preserve and digitize some of the oldest texts, which include a ninth-century Quran, written in Kufic (the oldest form of Arabic calligraphy) on camel skin. "We knew where it was more or less, but could not enter. In 2012, a woman from Morocco's Ministry of Culture contacted Chaouni for an assessment. Leo Africanus, also known as Ibn al Wazzan, was an Andalusian diplomat and Islamic scholar who studied at the university during the 16th-century. The second is that the restoration of the library was enormously successful. Fez was built by the first Muslim dynasty, the Idrissids in the late eight-century. Over the years, the Qarawiyyin grew and quickly cemented its reputation as a centre of learning and culture. After the long-term development, the University of al-Qarawiyyin is known as one of the most influential institutions in history and also one of the most renowned universities all over the world for its historic setting, including a mosque and a library. In the early 12th-century, under the Almoravid Dynasty, a large restoration project took place and the complex was enlarged, its surface area stretching to around 6000 square metres, according to Marozzi. This is part of our collection of Morocco-related articles that we share as useful background information before you go on a Morocco tour with us, or to simply help you as you firm up your travel plans. All of those articles can be found here. The complex is made up of a library, mosque and university, making the university the first degree-granting institution in the world. "When you have books and water, it's a horrible recipe," she says. The result was the multi-million pound restoration of Khizanat al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, the oldest library in the world, which is due to reopen later this year. If it was a man, he probably would have hired another man, one of his friends.". This is largely due to the fact that the Al-Qarawiyyin library suffered a large fire in 1323. As word about the prestigious educational institution spread across the empire, some of the greatest minds in the Islamic world flocked to Fez. After years of neglect, the library is undergoing extensive renovation as part of a renewal program that will restore the Medina, Fes’ walled pedestrian historic district built in the late 8th, early 9th century. Founded in 859, it’s the oldest working library in the world, holding ancient manuscripts that date as far back as 12 centuries. When the library at Morocco’s al-Qarawiyyin University was first built in the 9th century, it was one of the world’s great centers for learning. If you would like to discover the ancient city of Fez, and the world’s oldest library, check out our Odyssey tour to Morocco here and prepare for a memorable vacation like no other. Originally the mosque was built to be a medium size, about 30m long with four transversal aisles. Refugees from surrounding Moorish dynasties, fleeing from modern-day Spain and Tunisia settled on these banks which would eventually merge into one city in the twelfth century. The House of Wisdom was built throughout the the 8th century CE during the Abbasid Dynasty. Having grown up in Fez, Chaouni was thrilled to be asked by the Moroccan government to transform the complex, which had fallen into disrepair over the years and was suffering from a long list of architectural problems, exacerbated by the heart and humidity of the Moroccan climate, including broken tiles and a poor drainage system. It was surrounded by the forests of the Middle Atlas mountains as well as arable land where farmers grew fruit, cereals and olives and raised livestock. "It was exquisite, but it was in a very bad state," she recalls. Engineers re-built foundations, installing a new sewage system; each tile of the building's iconic green roof was restored individually and painstakingly relayed. When her father died, many of Al-Fihri’s male relatives had passed away, which meant both Al-Fihri and her sister inherited a sizeable fortune. To rescue the structure from further damage, she built an underground canal system to lead the water into the sewer. She oversaw the construction, which included classrooms, a prayer hall, a library and a courtyard. The Tunisian immigrant moved with her family to Fes in the mid 9th century. In Muqaddimah, Khaldun theorised why civilisations rise and fall without looking solely at divine factors. Often described as ‘the man who invented modern history’ and ‘the father of philosophy’, the North-African historian is known for developing one of the first nonreligious philosophies of history in his ground-breaking work Muqaddimah. Today, the library houses Al-Fihri’s ninth-century diploma on a wooden board. Thanks! Some of the university’s most notable former students include: The Sephardic Jewish philosopher Moses ben Mamon, or Maimonides, studied at the Qarawiyyin in the 12th-century. From any vantage point in the city, you can make out the emerald-green tiled roofs of the library and university’s buildings. It is not only a library that is open to the public, but is also as a modern day homage to the ancient Library of Alexandria. Once something of an intellectual mecca, visited throughout the centuries by poets, philosophers, politicians, polymaths and physicists, it is no surprise that at the heart of the medina lies one of Fez’s most important landmarks: the ninth-century Qarawiyyin library, Khizanat al-Qarawiyyin. After excavating, Chaouni discovered what she described as a river running underneath the floors. I can't seem to find a clear answer online so hoping someone here may be able to clarify. It can't be thought of as this mummy we need to preserve. They are home to all of the world’s works and other forms of media, including films, CDs, videotapes, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, maps, e-books, audiobooks, and databases. This article was inspired in part by a chapter in Justin Marozzi’s book Islamic Empires: Fifteen Cities that Define a Civilisation entitled ‘Fez – the Athens of Africa’published by Allen Lane in 2019, as well as other articles linked throughout. Al-Fihri also pioneered the idea of creating a place where you would not just be educated but would also be granted a certificate to show your education had been complete. There is something magical about the medina, or old city, of Fez. The earliest libraries emerged not long after the first civilizations started keeping written records. Her father left his wealth to both Fatima and her sister, his only children. In this article, we will discover the compelling story of the Qarawiyyin Library and University, including the story of its ninth-century female founder and 21st-century female restorer. It is said that Idris I decided that the capital Volubilis (now an excavated Berber city outside of Meknes) was too small a capital and sought something more lavish. In his book Islamic Empires, Justin Marozzi recounts the mythological story of how Idris II came to found the city. The collection housed numerous works from the Maghreb, al-Andalus, and the Middle East. The Al-Qarawiyyin library has been in continuous operation since the 10th century and is believed to be the oldest library in the world. As well as the Qarawiyyin, there is much to admire in Fez, which is still seen as Morocco’s cultural capital. It was her vision and investment that saw the founding of the Qarawiyyin Mosque and Madrassa (school) almost 1200 years ago and in part thanks to her that the universities as we know them today exist. Fatima grew up being educated, along with her sister. Building Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque. When the Toronto-based architect and engineer stepped inside the building, however, she was shocked to discover it was rotting. Some sources say that she was so devoted to this cause that she fasted for the 18 years that it took to build the complex. Until now, the privilege of using the library has been limited to scholars who need to seek formal permission, and authorities haven't decided yet whether to change that. Chaouni also believes that her own role in restoring the library was made possible by the fact it was a woman at the Ministry of Culture that reached out to her. Worth a visit FEZ - Nestled in a labyrinth of streets in the heart of Morocco's ancient city of Fez, stands the world's oldest working library. Thanks to the confluence of two rivers, the city had a seemingly never-ending supply of water and it was close to quarries, from which building supplies could be sourced. Some of the literary gems housed in the library include a ninth-century copy of the Qur’an, escribed on camel skin, a manuscript of Ibn Khaldun’s Muqaddimah and a manuscript by Averroes on Islamic jurisprudence. In 2012, the Moroccan-Canadian architect, Aziza Chaouni, was tasked with restoring the Qarawiyyin. When it was first founded, Fez developed as two separate settlements on each bank of the Fez River. She is quick to point out that though her gender presented challenges, they weren't unique to Morocco. Fez was built by the first Muslim dynasty, the Idrissids in the late eight-century. A librarian at al-Qarawiyyin in 1931 After completing his education in Fez, he travelled widely through North Africa but during a voyage through the Mediterranean he was captured by Christian pirates and presented to Pope Leo X as a gift. In the past, the library was only accessible to scholars and students but Chaouni vigorously petitioned for part of the library to be open to the general public. The task, then, was up to his son, Idris II. "It's probably the thing I'm most proud of," she says. The courtyard was located to the west of the prayer hall, with the minaret standing in its middle adjoining the external wall[2]. Experience the local culture while wandering through the old city, visit the famous tanneries, try some of the city’s unique cuisine (dishes on offer includes  pigeon b’stilla, boneless braised pigeon cooked in spices, topped with almonds and wrapped in paper-thin warka pastry, and chebakia – deep-fried dough, coated in a honey and rosewater syrup and sprinkled with sesame seed) and take in the city’s beautiful scenery. It was in 859 AD when Fatima El-Fihriyathe decided to build a university with its own library, for herself and the intellectuals of her time. The al-Qarawiyyin Library has long been a source of fascination for residents in Fez, Morocco, as few of them have ever passed through its doors. "As a woman in Toronto, I still have to work twice as hard in a technical field to make myself heard. A curator inspects one of the oldest manuscripts found in al-Qarawiyyin Library. The first is that al-Qarawiyyin was built by a woman, which challenges the common assumptions about women’s contributions to Muslim civilization. Over the centuries, rain water poured off the roof of the neighboring mosque and infiltrated the library. The library has since been restored to its former glory, and the precious documents that were once under lock and key are now available to the public. "It's typical of the element of surprise you fine in Fez. Making it modern, and making it open to the public -- and not just to researchers -- are the cornerstone of Chaouni's vision for al-Qarawiyyin. But modern life had taken a toll on the library, with its buildings falling into disrepair. In the end, though, it was worth it to Chaouni to bring the library back to its former glory, and to make it accessible to the public for the first time. Due to the threat of persecution in Spain, Maimonides eventually fled to Fez, where he attended university. The university compiled an excellent selection of manuscripts in various disciplines, which were kept at a library founded by the Marinid Sultan Abu-Annan in the eastern side of the courtyard in 750 AH (1349 CE) before being relocated, towards the end of 1000 AH (1591 CE), in its present location by the Saadid Emir Ahmed Al-Mansur .Among the most precious manuscripts in this library are volumes from the famous … The monk told Idris II that on the site their used to be a city called Zef and that one day, a man named Iris would ‘renew it, revive it from oblivion, make stand its ruins; and that its importance would be great, its destiny momentous’ (Marozzi 2019, p. 156). In a way, the library's interior had an added allure for Chaouni, who grew up hearing family stories about her great grandfather, who to Fez from his village on a donkey to study at the illustrious university, and who spent many hours studying in the reading room at al-Qarawiyyin Library. I'm currently in Fes and looking for a bit of advice on the recently restored Qarawiyyin Library. Situated inland in the north-east of Morocco, Fez is the oldest of the country’s four imperial cities (the others are Marrakesh, Meknes and Rabat). The library was founded by Fatima al-Fihri, the daughter of a wealthy Tunisian merchant (she also founded the Qarawiyyin Mosque and Qarawiyyin University). Although there are many areas of the complex not open to the public, you can still glimpse the institution from the side alleys around it and get a sense of its significance. The Qarawiyyin complex is home to over 4,000 historical books and ancient texts written by renowned scholars and thinkers over the centuries. Regarded by many as the greatest Jewish philosopher of the Middle Ages, Maimonides was born in Cordoba into a family of rabbinic scholars. The publication of this would see him established as one of the leading rabbinical thinkers of his time. What she hadn't anticipated was the many secret nooks that lay behind boarded up walls and doors. Her family was well-educated and made sure that Al-Fihri and her sister, Mariam, received a proper education. An Antipodean travel company serving world travellers since 1983. Explore Jordan, visiting its capital city, Amman Jordan, the ancient Desert Castles, Petra and the Dead Sea on a small group package tour for mature and senior travellers. Chaouni is the latest is a line of women that have shaped the library's history. It opened in 2002 and houses eight million books, four museums and a planetarium, amongst other state of the art facilities. "I had no idea what lay behind its gigantic iron doors.". Al-Fihri was married, but both her husband and father passed away shortly after the wedding. It was this big, mysterious place," recalls Aziza Chaouni, a Fez native and the architect who has overseen al-Qarawiyyin's restoration. In the 14th-century, the pioneering historian and historiographer Ibn Khaldun is thought to have studied at the Qarawiyyin University. © Odyssey Travel 2020 All Rights Reserved, Al-Fihri and her sister inherited a sizeable fortune, Morocco tour for mature & senior travellers, Egypt tour: escorted small group history & cultural tour of Egypt, Ancient History of Jordan | Escorted Small Group Tour, Mungo Man and Mungo Lady, New South Wales. The al-Qarawiyyin library was built in 859, around the same time that the concept of zero was invented. Credited with founding oldest existing, continually operating and first degree-awarding educational institution, Fatima al-Fihri cuts a formidable figure in history. Though the structural changes were, she admits, a major undertaking, they pale in comparison to the work she's done to bring the 9th century complex into the 21st century. The ancient al-Qarawiyyin Library in Fez isn’t just the oldest library in Africa. After his studies, he journeyed to Fostat in Egypt and trained to become a physician, progressing to become to the official doctor of Saladin, the rule of Egypt. Receive a AUD$350 voucher towards your first small group tour. Inside the building, however, she was shocked to discover it was a hidden room had. Housing scholars... see full answer below history, click here being educated, with! Name, email, and the landscapes that surrounded it, proved to a... Rabat ) hidden travel gem developed as two separate settlements on each bank of the Fez river opportunity visit... 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