About
The Souk des Tanneurs, also known as Chouara, is a tannery in Fes, Morocco, and it is one of the most distinctive places a visitor can see in the city. Its dye pits, which are said to date back to the 11th century, are arranged in rows of stone basins filled with coloured liquids, and the scene is one of the most photographed in Morocco.
What to expect
The tannery is a working place rather than a display. Artisans work the leather by hand, using methods passed down from generation to generation. Watching them move between the pits and the drying areas gives a direct sense of how leather has been made here for centuries.
- Colourful dye pits set against the surrounding buildings
- Artisans working leather with ancestral techniques
- A chance to see the full process, from raw hide to finished goods
Around the tannery
Chouara sits within the old city of Fes, where narrow lanes, traditional markets and craft workshops are close at hand. Many visitors combine a trip here with a wider walk through the medina, pausing at the stalls and shops that surround the tanneries. Because the area is busy and the streets are winding, it is worth allowing time to wander at an easy pace.
Is it worth a visit?
For anyone interested in traditional crafts, working history or the look of old Moroccan cities, the Souk des Tanneurs makes a memorable stop. It is an authentic part of daily life in Fes rather than a staged attraction, and seeing it in person offers a clear picture of the craft behind the leather goods sold across the city.
