File:In Morocco (1920) (14779878144).jpg

Identifier: inmorocco00wharuoft (find matches)
Title: In Morocco
Year: 1920 (1920s)
Authors: Wharton, Edith, 1862-1937
Subjects: Morocco -- Description and travel
Publisher: New York Scribner
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
ns of ceramic mosaics; near it, the court-yard of the Fondak Nedjarine, oldest and stateliestof Moroccan inns, with triple galleries of sculpturedcedar rising above arcades of stone. A little fartheron lights and incense draw one to a threshold whereit is well not to linger unduly. Under a deep arch-way, between booths where gay votive candles aresold, the glimmer of hanging lamps falls on patchesof gilding and mosaic, and on veiled women pros-trating themselves before an invisible shrine—^forthis is the vestibule of the mosque of Moulay Idriss,where, on certain days of the week, women areadmitted to pray. Moulay Idriss was not built over the grave ofthe Fatimite prophet, first of the name, whosebones lie in the Zerhoun above his sacred town.The mosque of Fez grew up around the tomb of hisposthumous son, Moulay Idriss II, who, descend-ing from the hills, fell upon a camp of Berbers onan afl9uent of the Sebou, and there laid the founda-tions of Fez, and of the Moroccan Empire. ( 94 )
Text Appearing After Image:
t rum u pliulugraph from the 6crticc des lieaux-Arl.i an Manic Fez—the Xedjarine fountain FEZ Of the original monument it is said that Httleremains. The zaouia* which encloses it datesfrom the reign of Moulay-Ismael, the seventeenth-century Sultan of Meknez, and the mosque itself,and the green minaret shooting up from the verycentre of old Fez, were not built until 1820. But arich surface of age has already formed on all thesedisparate buildings, and the over-gorgeous detailsof the shrines and fountains set in their outer wallsare blended into harmony by a film of incense-smoke, and the grease of countless venerating lipsand hands. Featureless walls of mean houses close in againat the next turn; but a few steps farther anotherarchway reveals another secret scene. This time itis a corner of the jealously guarded court of ablu-tions in the great mosque El Kairouiyin, with thetwin green-roofed pavilions that are so like those ofthe Alhambra. Those who have walked around the outer walls

Note About Images