Tag: Fez Leather

Immerse Yourself in the Ancient Leather Tanneries of Fez Medina

One of Morocco’s iconic sights is the leather-works in Fez Medina. Navigating the labyrinth of alleyways, our group arrived at an unmarked door. We climbed a steep, narrow set of stairs, arriving in an outer room of a leather shop.

Leather goods inside the shop

The Mint Trick

We were handed sprigs of mint, which were surprisingly helpful. The leather tanning process has a strong odor, worsened by soaking hides in cow urine and pigeon poop.

Overlooking the Fez tannery
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The Leather-works Overview

We navigated through multiple rooms, ending up on balconies overlooking the processing area. From here, we saw vats of dye and drying skins everywhere. An employee explained the curing and dyeing process before we explored the shop.

Perspective view of the Fez tannery

Shopping for Leather Goods

The leather shops sell items made from camel, cow, goat, and sheep leather. Camel leather is the most expensive and durable. Some items still smelled foul, but the odor dissipates with time. Camel leather items did not have an offensive odor.

Goods for sale in the shop.

The Art of Bargaining

I bought a pouf, and my wife purchased a purse. Prices are inflated, so bargaining is essential. Items are expensive because they are genuine leather and merchants think tourists have money. Bargaining practices are crucial to getting a fair price.

Sensory Overload

The medina’s leather shops assault your senses with colors, textures, and smells. The colorful patterns and rich textures are visually stunning, but the smell is something you can’t forget.

Looking down from a balcony to the dye pools.

A Memorable Experience

Our trip to Morocco was filled with amazing sights, like goats climbing trees. Yet, the tanneries at Fez Medina stood out as one of the most iconic images of Morocco. The blend of history, hard work, and artistry made it worth the sensory overload. And yes, the mint helps.

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