Cherratine Madrasa (School of the Rope Makers), Fes

A walk up Rue Cherratine leads to the restored Cherratine school, offering a unique perspective compared to other schools in the city. Constructed in 1670 during the reign of Moulay Rachid, the founder of the Alaouite dynasty, this institution reflects a departure from the ornate and decorative style of earlier Merinid madrasas to a more utilitarian and functional design.

While sharing structural similarities with the 14th-century Merinid madrasas, the Cherratine school is characterized by its austere architecture, primarily intended to accommodate over 200 students. The entrance doors, intricately engraved in bronze, open into the "douiras" – narrow residential blocks comprised of small rooms meant for said students.

Classified as a historic heritage monument in Morocco since 1917, the school once stood nearby a market where rope-makers were established, hence its name. In addition to the central courtyard, visitors have the opportunity to explore nearly all the rooms.