The building façades in Fes el Bali are ashen constructed with a mixture of lime and sand called medloukj. The exteriors are nondescript, without windows and border on decrepit. But step inside some front doors (bab-i-dar) for a delightful surprise. The interiors can be ornately decorated with mosaics, colorful tiles (zellij), marble, carved cedar woodwork and Moorish arches. In the center is often a courtyard (wustadar) containing a fountain and surrounded by two or three-storied balconies. They typically contain a small garden with citrus trees. A great example is the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts. The Musée Nejjarine is housed in a restored funduq. Historically, these were hostels for foreign travelers.
