| Funduq al-Najjarin | |
|---|---|
فندق النجارين | |
 Courtyard of the funduq. | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | funduq (caravanserai) |
| Architectural style | Marinid,Moroccan,Islamic |
| Location | Fes,Morocco |
| Coordinates | 34°03′53″N4°58′33″W / 34.06476°N 4.97595°W /34.06476; -4.97595 |
| Completed | 1711CE (1123AH) |
| Renovated | 1990-1996 |
| Technical details | |
| Material | cedar wood, brick,stucco, tile |
| Floor count | 3 |
Funduq al-Najjarin (Arabic:فندق النجارين,lit. 'Inn of the carpenters'; also transliterated asFondouk el-Nejjarine) is a historicfunduq (a caravanserai or traditional inn) inFes el Bali, the oldmedina quarter in the city ofFez, Morocco.
The funduq is situated in the heart of the medina, atAl-Najjarin Square (also:Nejjarine Square orPlace Nejjarine), which is also notable for the Nejjarine Fountain, an attachedsaqayya or traditional public fountain.[1][2] The building was designed for use by the merchants, traders, and visitors to the city of Fez and provided a storage place. Along with the fountains, the building forms one of the most remarkable urban architectural complexes in historic Fez.[3] Today it houses a private museum,Le Musée Nejjarine des Arts et Métiers du Bois (Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts).[4]
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The nameal-Najjarin (or the FrenchtransliterationNejjarine, from Arabic:النجارين) means "carpenters", a reference to the historic presence of a carpenters'souq (market) around the square in front of the funduq today.[2] The souq is believed to have existed since theMarinid era (1244-1465CE).[5]
The funduq was commissioned by theamin (provost or magistrate) 'Adiyil in 1711, under the reign of the'Alawi sultanIsmail Ibn Sharif.[6][2][7][1] Another funduq founded in the same year (1711), theFunduq Sagha (Arabic:فندق الصاغة,lit. 'inn of the goldsmiths') in northern Fes el-Bali, also exhibits a very similar architecture and decorative style.[5] Thesaqayya (fountain) attached to the Funduq al-Najjarin was commissioned in the 19th century by the SultanAbd al-Rahman (ruled 1822–1859).[2]
Despite these developments from different dates, the various structures and the public square form an integrated whole in the local community. The building was originally used as a trading center,caravanserai (inn), and merchant warehouse associated closely with theMakhzen (the government or royal authorities).[6][7] It likely continued to serve this function up until the beginning of the 20th century.[5] Prior to colonial rule, a small number of rooms in the establishment were owned by some of the city's Jewish merchants.[8] By the 19th century, apost office for the city of Fez also existed between the funduq and the fountain, operating out of a small shop.[9]
The funduq was classified as a national historic monument in 1916 and was used as a police station by theFrench colonial authority in the 1940s.[6] The building was restored between 1990 and 1996, and on May 23, 1998, it was reopened as a private museum for wood arts and crafts known asLe Musée Nejjarine des Arts et Métiers du Bois.[2][1][6]
The building is built on an almost symmetrical rectangular plan. The interior is accessed through a monumental entrance leading to a vestibule and a central courtyard. The entrance gate, 5 meters tall and 3 meters wide, is framed by a façade of rich floral and geometrical decorations and inscriptions in carvedstucco andtilework, and overlooked by an impressive carvedcedar wood canopy. The carved or painted motifs include floralarabesques andArabic epigraphy.[2] The funduq is one of the few monumental buildings in Fez which has a complete exterior façade visible from the street.[3][10]
Inside, the building is centered around a main rectangular courtyard, as in other funduqs. This space is surrounded by a three-story gallery on all sides giving access to many different rooms.[2] The galleries are fronted on the inner courtyard side by a balustrade of wooden arches andmashrabiyas.[7] The ground floor rooms were used to store merchandise, while accommodations for guests were located on the upper floors.[7]
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A saqayya is often constructed as a charitable structure, either on its own or attached to public buildings such as mosques, so as to provide locals and travelers with drinking water (similar to asabil in other parts of the Islamic world).[11] It constitutes an integral part of the complex around this funduq. Thesaqayya is placed in front of the building, facing the square. Its highly-decorated façade includes ageometric composition ofzellij (mosaic tilework) framed by ablind arch ofcarved stucco. The façade is bordered by twoengaged columns andconsoles that support an overhanging canopy of carved wood.[5]
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The museum's collection of historic woodwork objects originates from across Morocco. It includes doors, musical instruments, and religious objects. Some were crafted in the moreAndalusi-influenced style of Fez and others exemplify traditionalAmazigh styles. One group of objects comprises wooden boards that were carved by students learning to recite theQur'an.[4] A large metalscale on display in the courtyard is the original scale that was once used to measure the weight of traded goods.[12][13]
