فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
This week, the city of Fez celebrated the reopening of the Batha Museum of Islamic Arts following the completion of restoration work launched by King Mohammed VI in 2019. This initiative is part of a broader project aimed at rehabilitating and enhancing the ancient medina of Fez. The reopening restores the museum’s status as one of Morocco’s most prestigious cultural institutions, offering visitors a unique experience that showcases the richness of Islamic heritage.
According to Fes News, the inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including the Wali of the Fez-Meknes region, Mouad El Jamai, the President of the National Museum Foundation, Mehdi Qotbi, the President of the Regional Council, Abdelouahed Ansari, and Mustapha Bousmina, President of the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez, along with distinguished cultural and academic personalities.
To mark the museum’s reopening, a special exhibition was organized, featuring rare historical documents that chronicle the succession of ruling dynasties in Morocco from the 8th century to the present day. The exhibition highlights key moments in the country’s history, offering visitors a deeper understanding of Morocco’s rich past.
Abdelaziz Idrissi, Head of Museums at the National Museum Foundation and curator of the inaugural exhibition, emphasized that the Batha Museum, spanning 7,500 square meters, is a significant addition to Morocco’s cultural landscape. He noted that the museum presents a comprehensive historical narrative, showcasing Morocco’s diverse heritage.
The museum’s collection includes rare artifacts displayed for the first time, rivaling some of the most renowned Islamic heritage collections in the Mediterranean. Among the standout exhibits are historical documents illustrating the evolution of Arabic calligraphy in Morocco and exceptional artifacts such as the Minbar of Oudaïa Andalus, considered one of the rarest of its kind in the Islamic world.
Alaa Fichtali, the museum’s curator, explained that the restoration was carried out under the supervision of the National Museum Foundation and the Fez Development and Rehabilitation Agency, ensuring the preservation of the site’s authentic architectural and historical character. Originally built by Sultan Moulay Hassan I between 1873 and 1894 as a summer palace and a venue for hosting distinguished guests, the palace was later completed under Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz in 1897 before being transformed into a museum.
The inauguration event was further distinguished by the presence of renowned French physicists Alain Aspect and Serge Haroche, both Nobel Prize winners, adding an international scientific dimension to the occasion and reinforcing the museum’s status as a global cultural destination.
Today, the Batha Museum of Islamic Arts stands as a remarkable addition to Morocco’s museum scene, further cementing Fez’s position as a cultural capital and opening new avenues for researchers and enthusiasts interested in the country’s rich history.
source : fesnews media
