Occupying 1,700 square meters in the historic Mellah of Fès, the Museum of Moroccan Jewish Culture traces more than 2,500 years of shared heritage. The institution opened on October 12, 2026, marking a historic milestone.
Museum Opens in 1438 Jewish Quarter
The museum covers more than 1,700 square meters—with 1,200 square meters dedicated to exhibition space—in the heart of the Mellah of Fès. Established in 1438, the district is one of the oldest organized Jewish quarters in the Kingdom.
The local Jewish community donated the land for the site. Its design uses traditional Moroccan craftsmanship, including sculpted plaster, painted wood, intricate zellige tilework, and a central marble fountain in a traditional patio.
King Mohammed VI Orders Urban Renewal
King Mohammed VI launched the initiative in 2019 as part of an urban revitalization program for the ancient medina. This royal initiative also led to the restoration of the Al-Batha Palace, which opened as the Museum of Islamic Arts in 2025 and sits roughly 100 meters away.
The National Museums Foundation and museum conservator Alae Fechtali managed the project.
Exhibits Detail 2,500 Years of History
Seven thematic zones across two floors document the spiritual, economic, cultural, and social history of Moroccan Jews. On the ground floor, a chronological frieze spans 2,500 years, marking milestones from early history to the 1492 arrival of Jews expelled from Spain and the founding of the Mellah.
Rare manuscripts, Torah scrolls, marriage contracts, archival documents, and ritual objects from Hebrew schools, rabbinical courts, and synagogues fill the display cases.
On the High Instructions of HM King Mohammed VI, the Museum of Moroccan Jewish Culture was inaugurated Monday in Fez to preserve and promote a key component of Morocco’s national heritage.The ceremony was attended by government officials, cultural heritage leaders, ambassadors… pic.twitter.com/vpUH8pac1D
The upper level illustrates the life cycle—from birth and circumcision to weddings, bar mitzvahs, and funerals—using traditional musical instruments, silver jewelry, and regional costumes.
The institution includes digital displays, audiovisual stations, and educational workshops for school groups. It also features a reconstruction of a jeweler’s workshop to showcase traditional trades.
Officials Celebrate Coexistence
International diplomats and high-ranking officials attended Monday’s inauguration ceremony.
Ahmed Toufiq stated that the opening illustrates Morocco’s attachment to the values of coexistence and respect for common values, even in times of uncertainty
, noting that the museum reflects the Kingdom’s dedication to shared heritage.