About
The Chouara Tannery sits in the old medina of Fes, Morocco, in the Fès el-Bali quarter at Chouara, Fès 30110. It is also known as the Chouwara Tannery or the Chouara Leather Tannery. Described as the largest and oldest tannery in the ancient medina, it is a working place where leather is still made by traditional methods, and it is one of the best-known landmarks of the city.
What you will see
The tannery is famous for its colourful dyeing vats, rows of stone pits filled with dye that visitors often remember as much as the smell and the activity around them. Workers move between the vats, and the process of tanning follows methods that have been used here for centuries.
Most visitors watch from the terraces that surround the tannery. From these higher viewpoints you can take in the whole layout of the workspace and see the work as it happens, without needing to go down among the vats.
Planning your visit
- Expect a working site rather than a staged display; the scene is lively and practical.
- The terraces are the usual place to watch, so you can observe the tanning process from above.
- The tannery lies inside the medina, so it is best combined with a walk through the surrounding old streets.
Because it is part of the living medina, a visit to the Chouara Tannery fits naturally into a day of exploring Fes el-Bali. Its craft, colour and centuries-old methods make it a memorable stop for anyone interested in how traditional leather is made.
