Square of the carpenters

Morocco wasn’t built in a day, but it was built with the assistance of the finest craftsmen, otherwise known as maalems, that Morocco’s King Hassan II had at his disposal. They worked down to the smallest detail to make the pavilion, and its reproduction, look and feel just like those found in the homeland.

Scattered about the pavilion are these replicated relics, and signs that offer further insight into the history of Morocco’s people and the skills of their artisans. In considering the reproduction of recognizable icons from all over the world, there is no finer example in all of World Showcase than the Nejjarine Fountain. Despite its spot on mimicry of the original, this fountain is buried in the farthest reaches of the Morocco pavilion, and is a perfect complement to the works created by the maalems.

Nejjarine Fountain

The fountain is a replica of the Nejjarine Fountain in the city of Fez. It is located at the Place Nejjarine (Square of the Carpenters) in Fez el Bale, the old section of Fez founded by the Idrissids dynasty in the 8th century.

Moroccan artists developed a unique style of abstract design. Rather than the plants, animals, and birds often found in western art, Moroccan decoration consists of intricate geometric patterns such as the tile-work adorning this fountain.