Today, Fes, also one of the four imperial cities, largely consists of two old medina quarters, Fes el Bali and Fes Jdid, and the modern urban area of Ville Nouvelle constructed during the French colonial era. The medina of Fez is listed as a World Heritage Site and is believed to be one of the world's largest urban car-free areas. It has the University of Al Quaraouiyine which was founded in 859 and the oldest continuously functioning university in the world. It also has Chouara Tannery from the 11th century, one of the oldest leather tanneries in the world. The city has been called the “Mecca” of the West" and the “Athens of Africa,"