🏺✨ Chouara Tannery, Fez: A Sensory Journey Into Morocco’s Leather Hear

#summervacay **📍 *Why Visit?*** Fez’s **Chouara Tannery** is the **largest and oldest** (since the 11th century!) in the world, where leather is still dyed using **ancient techniques**—think vibrant vats of pigment, rhythmic hammering, and the unmistakable scent of tradition (bring mint leaves!). --- ### **🕒 Best Time to Go:** - **Morning (8-10 AM)**: Watch workers stomp hides in the vats. - **Golden Hour (5-6 PM)**: Stunning light for photos. --- ### **📍 How to Find It:** - **From Bab Bou Jeloud**: Follow signs for "Tanneries" (~15min walk through narrow alleys). - **Landmark**: Look for leather shops with **terrace views**—they’ll guide you up (tipping ~10 MAD expected). --- ### **👀 What to Expect:** 1. **The Vats**: - **White**: Lime-soaked hides (to remove hair). - **Rainbow**: Natural dyes (saffron = yellow, poppy = red, indigo = blue). - **Brown**: Pigeon poop + water mix (softens leather—yes, really!). 2. **The Process**: - Hides are soaked, dyed, dried on rooftops, then hand-stitched into **bags, shoes, and poufs**. --- ### **📸 Photo Tips:** - **Terrace Views**: **Leather shop rooftops** offer the best vantage (e.g., **Shop #64**). - **Ask Workers**: Some may pose for pics (tip ~20 MAD). --- ### **🛍️ Buying Leather?** - **Haggle Hard**: Start at **1/3 the asking price**. - **Quality Check**: Rub a damp cloth—no color bleed = good dye. --- ### **⚠️ Pro Tips:** - **Mint Leaves**: Shops hand them out—**press to your nose** against the smell! - **Guides**: Avoid “free” offers—they’ll pressure you to buy. - **Comfy Shoes**: Alley floors can be wet/slippery. **"This isn’t just a tannery—it’s a living museum of craftsmanship."** Ready to brave the (stinky) magic? 🌈👃