Teza, City

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

Tedza, Tezza, Teza, a rich and a noble City in the Province of Chauz in the Kingdom of Fez, five Miles from Mount Atlas, 50 from Fez to the South, 130 from the Ocean to the East, and 170 from the Mediterranean. Of old it had about 5000 Families, being sumptuously built, especially the Palaces, Colleges and Temples. Out of the Atlas riseth a small River which passeth through the chief Mosque; but it has been diverted, to the great Damage of the Inhabitants, when they had Quarrels with their Neighbours; so that they have been forccd to use Cistern Water. For Wealth, Civility, and People, it is the third City in the Kingdom of Fez; and its Inhabitants are more Liberal and Civil than they of Fez. It has a large Temple, three Colleges, and divers Baths, fruitful Fields, and learned and rich Inhabitants, and about 500 Families of Jews, who make much excellent Wine, the best in Africa. It has a fair Castle, in which the Governour resides, who is the second Son of the King of Fez; and the King himself often comes thither for the pleasant Air, and to defend it from the wild Arabs, who bring thither, in Exchange for Corn, the Dates of Segelmesse and great Sums of Mony, which makes the City very rich. Leo Africanus.