Medina quarter
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A medina quarter (Arabic: المدينة القديمة al-madīnah al-qadīmah "the old city") is a distinct historical city section found in a number of North African cities, and in Malta. A medina is typically walled, with many narrow and maze-like streets.[1] The word "medina" (Arabic: مدينة madīnah) itself simply means "city" or "town" in modern-day Arabic. It is cognate with the Aramaic-Hebrew word (also "medina") referring to a city or populated area.
Description[]
Medina quarters often contain historical fountains, palaces, mosques, and sometimes churches.
Because of the very narrow streets, medinas are generally free from car traffic, and in some cases even motorcycle and bicycle traffic. The streets can be less than a metre wide. This makes them unique among highly populated urban centres. The Medina of Fes, or Fes el Bali, is considered one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world.[2]
Medina list[]
Algeria[]
- The Casbah of Algiers is a medina named after its fortress.
- The Casbah of Dellys
Libya[]
Malta[]
Morocco[]
- Asilah
- Casablanca
- Chefchaouen
- Essaouira
- Fes el Bali, the first medina of Fes
- Fes Jdid, the second medina of Fes
- Marrakesh
- Meknes
- Rabat
- Salé
- Tangier
- Taroudant
- Taza
- Tétouan
Tunisia[]
Locations of ruined medinas[]
References[]
- ^ "Medina definition". Oxford English Dictionary.
- ^ "7 car-free cities". Mother Nature Network.
- ^ "VISIT THE MEDINA OF TOZEUR". Globe Secret.
External links[]
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- Arabic architecture
- Berber architecture
- Islamic architecture
- Maghreb
- Urban planning
- Historic districts
- Medina quarters