Tanneries de fes دار الدباغة فاس

" There are a few spots marked on Maps.me where you can get to the rooftops with a view over the tanneries. There are also signs on the streets. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who will notice that you are a tourist and they will offer to guide you to the rooftop. Don't worry, they won't harm you, but after you're done with taking photos and listening to their little speech about tanneries, they will expect you to buy something in one of the shops (the entrance and exit are of course through these shops). So if you don't want to buy any leather stuff (I didn't, so I don't know what the prices are there but remember that in Middle East it's okay to negotiate any price), they will expect some "tip" for their little tour. If you don't have any coins or something and refuse to pay (like I did), of course they won't attack you or anything, but they will be disappointed and all their welcoming attitude will fade away. It wasn't my first time refusing to pay for something that wasn't at first announced as a paying option (when you go to the tanneries, they all say "oh it's free, tanneries view is free") so I became more and more confident and didn't feel guilty (because why should I?). But it may be hard for the first time, so just be prepared for it "

"The Tanneries de Fes, also known as Chouara Tanneries (the largest of the three), are a group of traditional tanneries situated in the heart of Fes el Bali, the old medina of Fez, Morocco. These open-air pits have been in operation for centuries, using remarkably unchanged methods to transform animal skins into soft leather. The tanneries operate in a way that feels like stepping back in time. Large, stone vats filled with colored dyes and pungent solutions line the working area. Tanners wade barefoot through the vats, using their hands and simple tools to treat the hides. The visual impact of the tanneries is undeniable. The vats range in color from a deep ochre to a vibrant pigeon blood red, creating a visually arresting scene. The pungent smell of the tanning agents is another distinct characteristic, though many visitors choose to purchase sprigs of mint to hold over their noses. Despite the industrial nature of the work, the tanneries have become a popular tourist destination. Balconies overlooking the pits offer a safe vantage point for visitors to observe the process and capture photos. Local tanners might even offer visitors a chance to purchase leather goods produced on-site."

"The highlight of any trip to Fez are the tanneries. Believed to be the oldest active tannery in the world, "