HAPPY BIRTHDAY FEZ RIADS

It is with great delight that Fez Riads celebrates its first birthday by announcing the start of two restoration projects in the Fez medina. Fez Riads finds holiday accommodation for tourists in the traditional houses of the medina. It was set up with the express intention of financing small restoration projects in a private capacity. With thanks to the guesthouses of Fez and the many clients who have supported Fez Riads, the first projects are now in progress:

Horses being washed in the fountain
FOUNTAIN PROJECT in Derb Jama El Hamiya

This beautiful fountain in the Chrabliyine district of the medina was identified as needing cleaning and restoration. It's situated in a small square near the ancient house, Dar Dmana, and a magnificent old mulberry tree. The fountain is fed by a natural spring and local people come to collect water and to wash their horses.

Fountain before cleaning

There are 4 steps to the project:
• Clearing the basin of rubbish and cleaning the calcification off the mosaics (zellij)
• Identifying and rectifying the drainage problem
• Repairing the zellij
• Identifying and rectifying the damp problem on the surrounding wall and repairing the medluk surface.

Fountain being cleaned

Step 1: Cleaning the zellij : As you can see in the picture, Si Mohamed and his helpers are hard at work draining the basin to clean it, and then cleaning the calcium off the zellij.

Fountain after cleaning

The after-picture shows an excellent job has been done.
The next steps are under way - watch this space!

GARDEN PROJECT in Kessariat Sanhaji, between Tala'a Kebira and Tala'a Seghira

Kessariat Sanhaji

This project is about to get under way (December 06). The small square has five concrete planters, but only one sad, struggling tree. The plan is to turn over and replenish the earth in the planters and fill them with hardy plants. The local shopkeepers are pleased with the idea, and Ahmed the Barber has volunteered to keep the plants watered in summer. His extra water bill will be financed by Fez Riads.

THANKS!
Fez Riads would like to thank the following guesthouses that have contributed a minimum of 2% of clients' accommodation costs to the restoration fund - Dar Bennis, Dar Roumana, Dar Serghini & Marrakech Riads, Riad Dar Dmana, Pension Dar Bouanania, Dar El Hana, Dar Seffarine, Riad Ibn Battouta, Riad au Vingt Jasmins, Dar Anebar, Riad Charqi, Dar Cordoba, Dar Aqiba, Riad Fès, Dar Jâd, Riad Lune et Soleil, Riad Jaouhara, Riad Les Oudayas, Fès Palais d'Hôtes and Riad Laaroussa.

Thanks also to The View from Fez for their constant support, to David Amster for his inspiration and practical help and to Lori Wood of Fes Medina.

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