Finally, a more subtle or symbolic function of the city walls was to formally define the borders of the urban space, within which certain rules, principles, or regulations might apply. This ensured the efficient collection of revenues on behalf of the authorities (keeping in mind that all the important souqs (markets) were within the city). One of their most important functions in controlling access was to control the flow of goods and to ensure they were properly taxed. The walls and gates also controlled the comings and goings of the city's own inhabitants, preventing anyone from leaving if the authorities desired. City gates were typically closed and locked at night travelers would not generally have been able to enter the city at a late hour. They protected the city from attack and kept out strangers. The city's major cemeteries are also located just outside the main gates, in particular: Bab Ftouh, Bab Mahrouk, and Bab Guissa.Īs with other pre-modern city walls, the ramparts of Fes served both a defensive and a controlling function. The walls marked both the physical and symbolic limits of the city (and sometimes also of its subdivisions), and as such the gates themselves could acquire added social or political significance. Likewise, the city gates vary greatly in design and date, ranging from heavily fortified defensive gates to simple openings in the walls today. The city walls underwent a complex evolution over the centuries with multiple phases of expansion, destruction, and reconstruction affecting different parts of the city's outline. These fortifications have been built up over many centuries and the extensive remnants today date from many different periods. They also include a number of kasbahs (citadels) and forts which were built both to protect and to control the city. The Fortifications of Fez (also spelled Fes) comprise a complex circuit of ramparts and gates surrounding Fes el-Bali and Fes el-Jdid, two urban agglomerations that compose the old " medina" of Fes, Morocco.
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