Monkey Grove and Urbex Adventures in a Sanatorium and Monastery –Fes surroundings

A monkey grove and urbex in a sanatorium and monastery – these three places are located not far from the famous city of Fez. Just a short trip outside the city and you’ll find scenery straight out of a B-movie horror movie, a nature documentary, or… a banana commercial. If you have a penchant for abandoned, strange, and slightly eerie places, and you’re not afraid of meeting a poker-faced monkey, then you absolutely must see these three unique places.

Abandoned Tuberculosis Sanatorium – Ben Smim

A hidden gem for any urban exploration aficionado, this old TB sanatorium sits deep in the forest near the village of Ben Smim. The road leading there meanders through scenic green landscapes, with the vast Michlifen dam reservoir looming in the distance.

It might seem like the road leads to a charming resort, perfectly integrated into its natural surroundings. Instead, an eight-floor concrete complex looms on the horizon, making it the perfect setting for a B-film about a haunted clinic.

The sanatorium was established in 1955 and operated vigorously until 1965, when it was taken over by the state. As you can see, state interference in something that functions efficiently, regardless of latitude, ends the same way 😀 It took the Moroccan government only 10 years to put an end to this facility. After its closure, the building was abandoned and looted to the ground. Furniture, medical equipment, and anything that could be carried off were gone. The interiors are dilapidated, but the atmosphere of a bygone era is still palpable, especially when you hear slamming windows and creaking doors…

Cèdre Gouraud – the Monkey Grove Mafia

Near the sanatorium lies a unique attraction – the “Monkey Grove,” where, for a change, the main characters are monkeys. At first glance, you might think it’s a unique spot. The Middle Atlas Mountains, towering cedar trees, and wildlife – a scene straight out of National Geographic. However, as soon as you get out of the car, you realize that a rather effective cooperation is at work here. Suddenly… a monkey tugs at your pants, staring deeply into your eyes with utter determination. Being primates, you understand each other without words; subconsciously, you know he’s asking, “Where are my peanuts?” – a passive-aggressive, but in a simian style.

And that’s when vendors appear with a full assortment of monkey delicacies. What’s more interesting is that the monkeys know how to behave and are very sociable. So it’s best to bring your own provisions, and I might add that bananas are the most popular here😉

Tioumliline – The Rebel Monastery

The third attraction in this bizarre triangle is Tioumliline – an abandoned monastery with a political past. “Tioumliline” means “white stones”, and it was founded in 1952 by Benedictine monks, who set up a clinic and a school here. All was going well until the monks decided to take sides in Morocco’s independence struggle. After Morocco gained independence, the monks doubled down on their activism, which made them a bit of a headache for the new authorities. Eventually, in 1968, the monastery was shut down. But it didn’t fade into complete obscurity – in 2009, it starred in the film Of Gods and Men, gaining a second life on screen.

Although it’s currently closed and undergoing renovations, it’s still worth a quick stopover if you’re driving south from Fes. The surroundings are peaceful, the history spicy, and it’s got that “forbidden” urbex charm.

The area around Fes is more than just a pitstop en route to the south. It’s a chance to dive into the offbeat, the abandoned, and the bizarre – the kind of Morocco that doesn’t make it into glossy travel brochures. A derelict sanatorium, a politically active monastery, and a monkey-run cedar forest. Sounds like a fever dream? Maybe. But it’s exactly these odd combos that make for the best stories.