The Madrasa Bou Inania

The Madrasa Bou Inania
The Madrasa Bou Inania (also Bu Inaniya) is a madrasa in Fes, Morocco, founded in AD 1351–56 by Abu Inan Faris,

who also founded the Madrasa Bou Inania in Meknes. It is widely acknowledged as a major example of Marinid

architecture. “Bou Inania” comes from the first part of the sultan’s name “Abou Inan”. The madrasa functioned as

both an educational institute and as a congregational mosque at the same time. It is the only madrasa in Fes

which has a minaret. Opposite the main doorway of the madrasa is the entrance to the dar al-wudu (ablutions

house). Left and right of the central court are class rooms.
According to history, religious leaders of the Karaouine Mosque advised Abu Inan Faris to build this Madrasa. It

was the last madrasa to be built by the Marinids. The madrasa became one of the most important religious places

of Fes and Morocco, gaining the status of Grand Mosque.
The madrasa was renovated in 18th century. During the reign of Sultan Mulay Sliman, entire sections were

reconstructed. In the 20th century, major restoration work was carried out to the load-bearing structure, the

plaster, wood and decoration.
The madrasa is one of the few religious places in Morocco that is accessible to non-Islamic tourists. Opposite

the Madrasa Bou Inania is the Dar al-Magana, a wall with a hydraulic clock which was built together with the

madrasa.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bou_Inania_Madrasa