Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts: Best Museums in Fes

An honest review of my visit to the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts in Fes – one of my favourite museums in Morocco’s “Cultural Capital”.

Fes is home to some exceptional cultural museums, dedicated to everything from Islamic arts to ancient weaponry and Moroccan-Jewish design. One of my favourites (after Dar Batha) is the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts. It occupies a historic funduq (caravanserai) in the heart of the medina (it’s really close to Al Attarine Madrasa and the University of al-Quaraouiyine).

I just want to say straight-up that this building is stunning! Even if you have no interest in wooden crafts, it’s worth the entrance price alone to see its beautifully decorated courtyard.

The entire ensemble of buildings around Place Nejjarine is of cultural significance, reflecting the importance of trade in Fes. So even if you didn’t want to pay to go inside the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts, I’d recommend adding Place Nejjarine to your Fes itinerary.

Funduq al-Nejjarine (the building the museum occupies) is architecturally different from the madrasas and palaces you might have visited (or be visiting) around Morocco. So for that reason alone it’s a standout.

I also think it beautifully illustrates how Moroccans have traditionally transformed everyday objects into things of beauty. Something that is being lost in a world of cheap, disposal products. 

The museum’s impressive collection includes a diverse range of decorative objects, musical instruments and furnishings (predominantly carved from cedar wood). As such, it celebrates Morocco’s traditional woodworking skills.

If you’re someone who appreciates the artistry that goes into woodwork or just loves getting up close to beautifully crafted objects, then I really do think it is a “must”.

In this article, I’ll detail everything you need to know about visiting the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts. It includes what you can expect to see, entrance costs and opening hours.

For more information about things to see and do in Fes, check out my detailed travel guide here.

Opening hours of Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts: 10 am to 5 pm

Entrance fee for Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts: 30 dh

A brief history of Funduq al-Nejjarine

Translating as “Inn of the Carpenters”, Funduq al-Nejjarine is a historic caravanserai. It was a place used by merchants and traders to store their goods while visiting Fes. At the same time, it provided rooms and served as a hub for commercial activity.

Funduq al-Nejjarine is believed to have been named after the carpenters’ souk that existed here as early as the Merenid era (1244 to 1465). 

That said, the funduq was not commissioned until the early 18th century by the Alawite Sultan Ismail Ibn Sharif. He was the longest ruling of Morocco’s sultans and is believed to have fathered over 800 children. A busy man!

The adjacent fountain was added more than a century later by Sultan Abd al-Rahman. He is credited with preserving Moroccan independence at a time when Africa was being colonised by European powers.

Today, the funduq and fountain (together with the adjacent carpenter’s souk) comprise one of the most notable architectural complexes in Fes el-Bali.

While Funduq al-Nejjarine continued to served as a caravanserai into the early 20th century, it also housed workshops for Jewish merchants. There was also a post office on the edge of Place Nejjarine at one point in time.

The French used it as a police station during the colonial years (there were cells on the ground floor). It was during this period that the building was classified as a national historic monument. 

The restoration of Funduq al-Nejjarine

Over time, the walls, ceilings and floors began to deteriorate. There were concerns that the gorgeous decorative features of the funduq would be lost forever.

Extensive restoration works were carried out in the 1990s, supported by the Mohammed Karim Lamrani Foundation. These encompassed not just the funduq but also the fountain, the mosque and the carpenter’s souk. 

Funduq al-Nejjarine was officially opened as a private museum in 1998 and has served as a cultural destination every since. With its magnificent architectural features, understated exhibits and fantastic rooftop terrace, I really do think it is one of the best museums in Fes

Want to discover more inspiring museums in Fes? Check out my detailed article here.

What to expect at the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts

The Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts is located on the edge of Place Nejjarine. It’s tucked away just off one of Fes el-Bali’s main east-west arteries, Rue Talaa Kebira. If you’re not sure, just ask a local shopkeeper to point you in the direction of “Nejjarine” or follow the tour groups.

When you arrive at Place Nejjarine, the museum is instantly recognisable due to its monumental arched entrance decorated with floral and geometric motifs. This is topped by an elaborately carved cedar wooden canopy, which hints at what lies within the funduq. 

As you step inside, there’s a small desk to the left where you can purchase your ticket (30 DH). If you want a private guide to lead you through the museum, ask here. I don’t remember this service being advertised, but it’s more than likely there would be someone available. Always agree on a fee beforehand.

Once inside, you enter into a rectangular courtyard centred around a fountain, which is typical of Moroccan funduq design. This is surrounded by two upper galleries framed by a balustrade of wooden arches and mashrabiyas (delicately carved wooden screens). I’m pretty sure I audibly gasped when I first arrived – it really is magnificent!

Originally, the ground floor rooms were used to store the merchandise of visiting traders, as well as housing the former prison cells. Today, there are displays about the different types of wood used in traditional Moroccan design and explanations about their various qualities.

Also on the ground floor is a massive set of scales. Apparently this is the original one used to weigh goods in the funduq!

The upper floor rooms were once used to house merchants and guests. It’s interesting to see what it would have been like for travellers visiting Fes in centuries gone by. Today, the rooms house exhibits that are themed around particular wooden objects, including musical instruments, carved chests and Quranic recitation boards. 

What I found fascinating was how everyday objects were transformed into striking works of art and the role wooden design has played in Moroccan history. While these objects primarily needed to serve a function, there was no overlooking the importance of making them visually appealing at the same time. 

While some of the artefacts on display reflect Andalusian design traditions, others are more reflective of Amazigh styles. There really are so many pieces of beauty here, many of which illustrate something about life in Morocco in centuries past. Among the highlights is a door from the nearby Bou Inania Madrasa, which is also definitely worthy of your time. 

On the wall inside each room is a small glass panel with information provided in English, French and Darija. While there’s not a lot of information, it’s enough to understand what you are looking at.

If you’re someone who really wants to delve into the significance and design of the objects on display, then I’d recommend hiring a private guide.

From the rooftop terrace, there are wonderful views across Fes. There’s a small cafe here serving teas, coffees and cold drinks. This is a great place to relax for a few minutes after exploring the exhibits.

Even if you don’t want to purchase anything, the rooftop is a must-see. There are even platforms you can step up onto to get a better view over the roof’s high walls. 

Also, don’t miss the opportunity to use the toilets at the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts. Even these feature gorgeous cedar wood ceilings. 

The Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts is just one of the cultural attractions visited on my suggested one-day Fes itinerary.

Is the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts worth visiting?

In my opinion, it’s a resounding “yes!”

I think this museum is beautifully designed and experiencing the building itself is worth the entrance price. While there are no flashy multimedia exhibits, the handcrafted objects on display speak for themselves. There is not a lot to distract you from their beauty .

As someone who often feels compelled to read every word on museum information panels, I didn’t mind not having lots of written explanations to digest. It allowed me more time to simply appreciate the objects and the artistry on display. And the information that was provided was adequate for me to understand what I was looking at and its significance to Morocco’s cultural heritage. 

As I said, exploring with a private guide would enhance the experience. Particularly if you’re someone who’s really interested in Moroccan design and wooden crafts. But the small size of the exhibition rooms means they aren’t designed for large tour groups to squeeze into.

If you’re visiting with a big tour group, I expect your guide will provide an overview before allowing you to explore independently.

As a result, you don’t get a sense of being swamped with people in the galleries if you’re visiting independently. If one of the exhibition rooms feels “full”, you can always go onto the next and come back once it’s empty. 

How long do you need to explore the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts?

In total, I spent around an hour exploring the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts. Plus a bit of extra time sitting in the courtyard just soaking it all in. I would suggest a similar amount of time to cover all of its exhibits. Add in a little extra if you’re heading up to the rooftop cafe for a mint tea!

If you’re someone who can happily breeze through exhibits or is short on time, you could explore the museum in as little as half an hour. It’s not a big place but there’s a lot of detail to digest.

As mentioned previously, the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts is popular with tour groups and it does get busy. Time your visit for when it opens at 10 am if you want a crowd-free experience.

That being said, the tour groups didn’t bother me. I actually picked up some fascinating tidbits of information while eavesdropping on a guide. 

Entrance to the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts costs 30 DH. I think this is more than fair when you consider how impressive the restoration is and the ongoing preservation costs.

It’s open from 10 am to 5 pm daily, so plan your itinerary accordingly if visiting Funduq al-Nejjarine is something you really want to do in Fes!

About Me

I’m Malika, a global traveller who first visited Morocco in 2014 before marrying a local and settling down in a little village on the Atlantic coast. Over the years, I’ve developed an intense love for Morocco, its incredible landscapes, storied cities and the exceptionally generous hospitality of its people.

Malika in Morocco is a place to share my years of experience exploring the country, from north to south and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. As a resource for travellers visiting Morocco, I want to encourage others to experience this captivating destination the way they desire, whether that’s independently or under the expert guidance of local tour operators.

I believe strongly in supporting responsible and sustainable tourism initiatives while inspiring travel experiences that are life-impacting and mutually beneficial for both travellers and locals.