The gate of the farriers in Fes el-Jdid

Located in the old city of Fez, Morocco, Bab Semmarine is the monumental southern gate of Fes el-Jdid. Originally called Bab 'Oyun Sanhaja, the gate was part of the initial foundation of Fes el-Jdid by the Marinid sultan Abu Yusuf Ya'qub in 1276. He built the city as a new royal capital separate from Fes el-Bali, creating a highly fortified area featuring a double set of walls on its eastern side.

The gate served as the starting point for the main souq street, leading towards the royal palace in the north. While it was originally the southern entrance, the creation of another district later placed it inside the city's perimeter. The gate's outer facade is decorated with blind polylobed arches and the darj-wa-ktaf motif. Historically, the gate featured a bent entrance with passages turning 90 degrees for defense, though these were opened up in the early 20th century to allow for vehicle traffic.

In 1924, the gate was heavily modified or rebuilt by the French colonial administration to improve traffic flow. Today, it features a double entrance with multiple archways. Inside the passage, a side door provides access to a westward path along the old walls, while another section contains a large vaulted market hall, rebuilt in the style of the Marinid granaries that formerly stood on the site.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons