Chouara Tannery, Ancient leather tannery in Medina, Morocco.
The Chouara Tannery is a leather-working facility in Fez's old city where circular stone basins filled with colored liquids serve as processing stations. Craftspeople treat hides using age-old techniques that have remained largely unchanged over time.
The tannery was established in the 9th century and became one of three major leather workshops that transformed Fez into a trading hub. It remained a driving force in the city's economy for centuries.
Local craftspeople continue a practice passed down through families, which remains central to life in the old city. You can watch how natural materials shape a working process that defines the character of this neighborhood.
Access to viewing areas comes through leather shops that surround the tannery, leading up to elevated platforms. Bring mint leaves or cloth to help manage the strong smell from the leather processing work.
The facility operates entirely without modern machinery, processing camel, cattle, goat, and sheep hides in different basins. This traditional approach allows craftspeople to produce leather qualities difficult to replicate in industrial settings.
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