<strong>Morocco's ancient madrasas -- </strong>Bou Inania Madrasa is located in the historic Fes medina and offers a welcome respite from tourist hordes.
Morocco's ancient madrasas -- Bou Inania Madrasa is located in the historic Fes medina and offers a welcome respite from tourist hordes.
Ronan O'Connell, CNN
<strong>Ben Youssef --</strong> An intricately designed ceiling in Marrakesh's Ben Youssef Madrasa. The ancient Islamic school has more than 100 rooms.
Ben Youssef -- An intricately designed ceiling in Marrakesh's Ben Youssef Madrasa. The ancient Islamic school has more than 100 rooms.
Ronan O'Connell, CNN
<strong>Tourist attraction -- </strong>Ben Youssef Madrasa is one of Morocco's biggest tourist attractions. It was built during the Marinid dynasty.
Tourist attraction -- Ben Youssef Madrasa is one of Morocco's biggest tourist attractions. It was built during the Marinid dynasty.
Ronan O'Connell, CNN
<strong>Moorish design -- </strong>An arch opens onto an atrium at Ben Youssef. Moorish architecture -- which extends as far north as Spain -- is a feature of many of Morocco's ancient madrasas.
Moorish design -- An arch opens onto an atrium at Ben Youssef. Moorish architecture -- which extends as far north as Spain -- is a feature of many of Morocco's ancient madrasas.
Ronan O'Connell, CNN
<strong>Intricate detail -- </strong>Layer upon layer of design embellishes the entrance at Morocco's Bou Inania Madrasa.
Intricate detail -- Layer upon layer of design embellishes the entrance at Morocco's Bou Inania Madrasa.
Ronan O'Connell, CNN
<strong>Abu-al Hassan -- </strong>The magnificent façade of Abu-al Hassan Madrasa.
Abu-al Hassan -- The magnificent façade of Abu-al Hassan Madrasa.
Ronan O'Connell, CNN
<strong>Lesser known --</strong> Isolated and off the tourist map, Abu-al Hassan is an overlooked treasure in the city of Sale.
Lesser known -- Isolated and off the tourist map, Abu-al Hassan is an overlooked treasure in the city of Sale.
Ronan O'Connell, CNN
<strong>Bou Inania -- </strong>Students studied in groups in the central courtyards of the madrasas, like this one at Bou Inania.
Bou Inania -- Students studied in groups in the central courtyards of the madrasas, like this one at Bou Inania.
Ronan O'Connell, CNN
<strong>Geometric -- </strong>Tight geometrical motifs are a defining feature of the Moorish architecture seen at Abu-al Hassan, Ben Youssef and Bou Inania Madrasa.
Geometric -- Tight geometrical motifs are a defining feature of the Moorish architecture seen at Abu-al Hassan, Ben Youssef and Bou Inania Madrasa.
Ronan O'Connell, CNN
<strong>Sale -- </strong>The old walled city of Sale is perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and its madrasa is often empty of visitors.
Sale -- The old walled city of Sale is perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and its madrasa is often empty of visitors.
Ronan O'Connell, CNN
<strong>Calm -- </strong>Despite hundreds of tourists visiting Ben Youssef Madrasa daily, the ancient school has a pervasive feeling of calm.
Calm -- Despite hundreds of tourists visiting Ben Youssef Madrasa daily, the ancient school has a pervasive feeling of calm.
Ronan O'Connell, CNN