Fès

Former capital of Morocco 808–1062, 1296–1548, and 1662–1912, in the Fès valley north of the Great Atlas Mountains, 160 km/100 mi east of Rabat; population (2004) 946,800. Textiles, carpets, and leather are manufactured, in many cases on a craft basis, and the fez, a brimless hat worn in southern and eastern Mediterranean countries, is traditionally said to have originated here.

History
Fès was reputedly founded in 808 by the Moroccan ruler Idris II and became the capital of the West African Muslim states. In the 10th century pilgrimages were made to Fès instead of to Mecca. It was incorporated into Morocco in 1548.