medinas
Old Arab neighborhoods
Medinas are the old, historic quarters of North African cities, particularly in Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria.
These ancient urban cores feature narrow winding streets, traditional markets (souks), and densely packed buildings within old city walls.
The term comes from the Arabic word for city.
We spent the afternoon lost in the medina of Fez.
Traditional Arab market
- bazaarOpen-air merchant district
- vendorsThose who sell goods
- stallsDelays or compartments
- tradersProfessional buyers and sellers
merchants · spices · carpets · leatherwork · pottery · textiles · handicrafts · haggling
Narrow passages between buildings
- mazePuzzle of passages
- labyrinthineExtremely complex and winding
- windingCurving repeatedly, sinuous
- twistingRotating with distortion
warren · serpentine · narrow · passages · meandering · quarters · gates · walls
Enclosed open-air space
- kasbahNorth African citadel
- mosqueIslamic house of worship
- minaretMosque tower with balcony
- archesWeight-bearing curved spans
stucco · plasterwork · woodwork · carvings · fountain · terracotta · frescoes · façade
People living somewhere
- localsArea's permanent inhabitants
- neighborhoodResidential area nearby
- familiesRelated people living together
- communityCollective of connected people
hammam · cafés · donkeys · carts · laundry · children · elders · gatherings
Cultural arm of UN
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- restorationReturning something to condition
- ancientVery old indeed
- historicOf lasting significance
traditional · customs · craftsmanship · authenticity · conservation · legacy · protected · quarters
souk
Traditional Arab market
traders · merchants · spices · carpets · leatherwork · pottery · textiles · handicrafts · haggling · artisans
alleys
Narrow passages between buildings
- mazePuzzle of passages
- labyrinthineExtremely complex and winding
- windingCurving repeatedly, sinuous
twisting · warren · serpentine · narrow · passages · meandering · quarters · gates · walls · ramparts
courtyard
Enclosed open-air space
arches · stucco · plasterwork · woodwork · carvings · fountain · terracotta · frescoes · façade · balcony
residents
People living somewhere
- localsArea's permanent inhabitants
- neighborhoodResidential area nearby
- familiesRelated people living together
community · hammam · cafés · donkeys · carts · laundry · children · elders · gatherings · routines
UNESCO
Cultural arm of UN
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- restorationReturning something to condition
- ancientVery old indeed
historic · traditional · customs · craftsmanship · authenticity · conservation · legacy · protected · quarters · monuments
- Middle EastIraq, Baghdad, Cairo, Iran, Jordan
- North AfricaMorocco, Algeria, Marrakech, Tripoli, Tunis
- MaghrebAlgeria, Morocco, Libya, Tunisia, Maghreb
- Maghreb travelAlgiers, Casablanca, Marrakesh, Sahara, Atlas Mountains
- MoroccoMarrakech, Casablanca, souk, tagine, couscous
- soukssouk, souks, bazaar, bazaars, vendors
medinasnew towns
Intentionally developed communities
planned communities · suburban developments · Manhattan · business districts