Trip to Morocco: The Incredible Tanneries of the City of Fez
Morocco is an Arab country located in North Africa, and without a doubt it has become a highly popular tourist attraction in recent years due to the variety of offers it offers its visitors. From historic cities like Marrakech and Casablanca, to other picturesque and "instagrammable" ones like Chefchaouen, the country is a cultural paradise for those who visit it.
Without a doubt, Morocco is an exotic destination and different from what you can commonly know. Throughout its history, the country has been home to different cultures that, together, have given its cities a unique charm. One of the most indigenous cities is Fez, the third largest city in the country after the capital Rabat and Casablanca.
It is one of the four imperial cities of the country, and has a medina declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage in 1981. Fez is a popular destination for Islamists, since there are houses of study and universities dedicated to the in-depth study of this religion.
The tanneries of Fez
One of the main sources of work that has historically been carried out in the city of Fez is tanning. If you are not familiar with the subject, tanning is the process by which animal skin is transformed into leather through chemical processes that help to achieve the desired texture and different colors.
The hard work that is carried out to tan these materials dates back many years, around the 10th century. These skins go through different processes to obtain the desired result, among which are immersing them in lime tanneries, removing the fur and pigmentation. of the skins, in which they are also submerged in tanneries with water of different colors.
This leather is then sold to those artisans and artists who work on the creation of bags, wallets, shoes, and any other item that requires leather to be made. The variety of colors and tones is wide, and without a doubt, it is a very busy market.
The beautiful views of the tanneries
On the tourist side, the tanneries of Fez offer visitors to the city a strange but very beautiful panorama. Formed by hundreds of some species of wells covered with chemicals of different colors, the tanneries of Fez are a mandatory stop in the city.
Located in the center of the city's medina, the Chouwara Tannery is the most popular, largest and most impressive. As mentioned, it is located in the souk, in the well-known Tanners Square and in its surroundings there are all kinds of shops and buildings that we recommend you go up to get a panoramic view of the entire area. It is undoubtedly one of the most iconic and recognizable places in the city.
You will be able to appreciate the artisans working hard to carry out the process, in addition to admiring the different colors of these "pools", which without much effort, embellish the city of Fez in a unique and traditional way. Mind you, don't be surprised by the smell of the area. It is not the most pleasant, since skins that give off a strong odor are used for this process. But we can guarantee that it is worth visiting.
Fez is a charming and unique city. It is one of those cities with autochthonous characteristics that inspire you to get to know and explore every corner of its streets. Exploring its monuments, its typical tanneries and its people makes it even more special. Discover the Travel Packages to Morocco that we have for you and get ready for a cultural and interesting trip!