Dar Moqri (also spelled Dar al-Moqri or Dar Mokri) is a historic palace or group of mansions in Fes el-Bali, the old medina of Fes, Morocco. It dates from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was built by the wealthy and powerful Moqri family. The site is occupied by two grand residences built separately by members of the same family but physically adjoining each other. The older palace was begun by Abdelsalam al-Moqri and probably further modified by his son Muhammad. In addition to its rich interior, it is notable for its large terraced garden. The second palace belonged to his grandson Si Tayb and is notable for its long courtyard which mixes Italianate details with traditional Moroccan decoration. A completely separate palace, known as Riad Driss Moqri, was also built further north by Abdelsalam's son, Si Dris.
The Moqri family was a wealthy family of merchant origin which rose to prominence within the royal government (or makhzen). They originated from Tlemcen, Algeria, and immigrated to Morocco at the beginning of the 19th century under their patriarch Abu Abdallah Muhammad al-Akhal, settling in Fez in 1805. He had three sons who each led a major branch of the family afterwards. One of them, Haj Abdesalam al-Moqri, rose to prominent positions under Sultan Moulay Hassan. He first worked as an amin (magistrate or secretary) working at the Funduq el-Jild under the direction of the secretary of the treasury at the time, Haj Bel-Madani Bennis. It was around this time that he started building his palace, Dar Moqri. Historical documents of the house's floor plan indicate that it existed or was being built in 1880.: 130–132 He later became the secretary of finance (amin al-mustafad) in Dar Adiyil (the state treasury at the time) and then the secretary of royal constructions (amin bina' malaki). As secretary of royal constructions, he was charged by Moulay Hassan to oversee the construction of the Dar al-Makina and of the Dar Batha and Dar al-Baida Palaces. He was also charged in 1889 with resolving issues with the water supply of the Oued Fes. These responsibilities gave him considerable prestige and importance which afforded him the ability to build a great mansion for himself. The size and richness of the residence reflects his family's wealth at the time. An inscription in the house records the date 1901-02, which probably indicates a major renovation at this time.: 130
Peter-John Fernandes | Jan 27, 2018
Nice big room for a good price. Needs some maintenance, but clean and good service. Not to far from gate and restaurants. Be careful of scamsters in the Medina, don't trust anyone you haven't given money too.
Filipe Medina de Sousa | Dec 5, 2017
Has the potential to be an amazing palace, but there is much reconstruction to do. Some cockroaches here and there... Even so, the working rooms were amazing and right in the heart of the Medina.
Marianne Slegers | Jun 27, 2017
We stayed for 2 nights in this magnificent space. Sadly there is much to repair and return to splendor before the review can get more than 4 stars. Don't let this deter anyone from going here though! If you can use your imagination and love history, this is the place for you. Just know that in summer heat the air conditioning was sorely missed...
Abdelghni Rkouni | May 23, 2017
Tremendous places really amazing. It was the palace of haj lmekri the president of morroco during the fransh protectorat.
Irvando Particelli | Dec 26, 2017
O Palácio é lindo, mas está totalmente abandonado. Por um lado é bom pois não há turistas, mas se torna um pouco perigoso.
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