The Borj Nord Arms Museum in Fès is re-opening this week after it was revamped on the instructions of King Mohammed VI.
Borj Nord, or northern fortress tower of the old town walls, was built in 1582 by Saadian Sultan Ahmed El Mansour Eddahbi to secure the protection of Fès. The structure is testimony to the evolution of military architecture and warfare. The Tower and walls were constructed to sustain heavy canon balls.
This XVIth century fortress remains true to its military tradition since it has been transformed into the Arms Museum. The collections have been built up mainly with royal donations and include a number of rare pieces. The restoration was assigned to the Moroccan Military History Commission that asked specialized research offices, in cooperation with the Culture Minister and other relevant departments, for counselling on the new look of the museum.
The press release said the re-opening of the museum is part of the activities celebrating the FAR (armed forces) 50th anniversary.
The museum is displaying in 13 rooms 775 military items out of the 5000 arms collection, which includes weaponry from the pre-historic axe to the modern rifle. Many civilizations are represented: Indian, European and Asian.
The collection also includes fine Moroccan items: daggers encrusted with stones or rifles and outstandingly, a 5-meter canon weighing 12 tons, used during the Battle of the Three Kings (Battle Of The Wadi Al-makhazin ).
Tags: Morocco Fes, Maghreb news
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