Love history , Koran , and beautiful architecture ? believe taking a trip to Fez , Morocco , to shop the shelf of the world ’s onetime working library at the al - Qarawiyyin University . Though the ancient account book depositary closed for renovation in 2012 , the renovate distance is now in conclusion open to visitors again , Tech Insiderreports .
A wealthy Tunisian merchant ’s girl , Fatima al - Fihri , founded al - Qarawiyyin University as a mosque in 859 CE . By the 10thcentury , Atlas Obscura reports , it grew into a full - fledge university with a subroutine library . Today , it ’s debate to bethe world ’s oldest existingand continually operating institute of higher training , as well as the first degree - award educational institution . Eventually , the University of al - Qarawiyyin moved to another location in Fez , but the mosque and library continue at the original situation .
With its court , calligraphy - and - tile decorated wall , and arched buildings , the al - Qarawiyyin University ’s library is as ornate as it is historic . But thanks to C of neglect , its façade start crumble . Meanwhile , rampart fissures , cracked beams , humidness , and even plumbing system problems threatened the subroutine library ’s priceless collection of schoolbook . The storied centre of attention of learning shut out its door to the world until designer Aziza Chaouni was finally selected to refurbish the space .
By May 2016 , al - Qarawiyyin University ’s program library was finally set for use . Chaouni did her best to maintain its original visual aspect , but she also promote the facilities for modern scholars , the Associated Press reports , by tote up New furniture , solar panel , a young trough system , digital locks to the rare Word elbow room , and other present-day features .
In the yesteryear , the library was only open to scholars and investigator who sought prescribed permission to crop its collections . But later this year , a extension with an exposition room and a café might unfold to non - scholars . Ca n’t afford a ticket to Fez ? Check out photos of the al - Qarawiyyin University ’s refurbish libraryover atTech Insider .
[ h / tTech Insider ]
