Funduqs in Fez: the Last Transformation of Urban Caravanserais

Abstract

Urban caravanserais typologies have shown high resilience over time. They adjust both their contents and architectural traits to fit the urban fabric of Mediterranean cities. The funduq in Moroccan medinas shows the latest chronological changes in the caravanserai typology. Adaptations occur at two main levels: changes at the urban scale and social appropriation of the type. These shifts lead to important changes in the identities and roles of these buildings within the urban fabric. While this evolution has helped breathe new life into the medinas, it also brings challenges for authenticity, community life, and the preservation of intangible heritage—the living traditions that give the medina its unique character. The paper is structured in two parts. The first explores the Berber medina's character and reveals the souk and funduq as genetic elements. The second presents a general overview of the different structural funduqs’ typologies on the Fez Medina case study, outlining options for sustainable rehabilitation and analysing pros and cons. The conclusions provide action lines for a integral restoration of the funduqs today.