Bab Debbagh, City gate in Medina of Marrakesh, Morocco
Bab Debbagh is a city gate on the northern side of Marrakesh's Medina, built with high stone walls and decorated archways that mark a key passage into the old city. It stands as the main access point between the tannery district and the inner sections of the historic quarter.
The gate was built as part of Marrakesh's defensive fortifications around the Medina and has stood adjacent to tanneries that have operated continuously since the medieval period. Its position reflects the importance of controlling access to a major economic zone of the ancient city.
The name Bab Debbagh means Tanners Gate, reflecting its position beside leather workshops where craftspeople continue traditional techniques passed down over many generations. Walking through this area, you can watch artisans at work and smell the distinctive scents of leather production.
The gate comes alive in the morning hours when tannery workers begin their daily activities and the district is most active. Arriving early gives you the best chance to see the craftspeople at work while avoiding crowds.
The gate connects the tannery craft with deeper layers of the old city and remains a place where you can sense the unchanged nature of a medieval workshop district. The passage preserves an economic rhythm that predates much of the rest of the city.
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