Dar Ba Mohammed Chergui, also known as Dar al-Aman,[1] is a historic palace or riad-style mansion in the old medina of Fez, Morocco. It is located on Derb el Horra street in Fes el-Bali.[2]
The house was constructed over 15 years in the early 20th century and is named after the former qa'id (judge) Ba Mohammed Chergui who lived here.[3] In her book on Islamic gardens, D. Fairchild Ruggles also identifies the palace as that of Pasha 'Abd al-Kari and states that it was built instead in 1860.
In 2008 the palace was purchased by international private investors following a long negotiation process with around 60 inheritors of the house. The intention of the purchase was to convert the palace into a five-star hotel.[4] Some observers report that the palace is currently in a dilapidated state and not accessible to visitors.[5] [6]
The palace is among the most impressive historic houses in the city, along with examples like Dar Moqri, Dar Glaoui, and Dar Adiyel.[7] It consists of two main houses next to each other, together covering some 1800 square meters. The main house (dar kbira) consists of a central courtyard paved and decorated with marble and zellij tiling, around which were three ornate halls with cupola ceilings as well as a large and ornate wall fountain. The second house, covering about 650 square meters, includes a large courtyard garden with a unique arrangement of star-shaped and cross-shaped planters and three fountains, all covered with zellij, and a surrounding portico or gallery.[8]