The Dar Glaoui Palace of Fez

Nestled in the heart of ancient Fes, the Dar Glaoui Palace stands as a testament to the power of the Glaoui family. While the palace was originally built by Haj Omar Tazi in the second half of the 19th century, Madani Glaoui seized many of Tazi's properties, including this mansion. It was just one of the many majestic buildings erected by the Glaoui family across Morocco during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Ziat neighborhood, where the palace now stands, was known as the al-'Uyun district until the 19th century. It was a garden district with relatively plenty of open space, which attracted the construction of several new mansions by wealthy families such as the Dar Moqri and the Dar Tazi. The Dar Glaoui was the first building in Morocco to have electricity and heating. The French plenipotentiary, Eugène Regnault, temporarily resided in Dar Glaoui after the French occupation of Fez in 1911.

Hubert Lyautey, the French resident-general, also temporarily resided in the palace. After Morocco regained its independence in 1956, Thami El Glaoui, the brother of Madani Glaoui, was stripped of his status. The once grand palace fell into neglect after this event. Today, the palace is still privately owned but is partly dilapidated, serving as a reminder of the influence of the Glaoui family.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons