Fez - pulse of a city

One of the four imperial cities of Morocco (the other three being Rabat, Meknes and Marrakech), Fez pulls a punch with its sights and sounds, such as the Chaouara tannery. Sights and smells is more like it. Armed with sprigs of mint, it is still difficult to get over the intense smell of the chemicals, but the colors and the frenzied activity make up for it.

The hides are processed in vats with various white liquids such as quicklime, salt, water, cow urine and pigeon feces (!) - then soaked in dyeing solutions that use poppy for red coloration, indigo for blue and henna for orange.


The waters of river Oud Fes are directed along canals such as Oud Bou Khrareb, and employed for use such as leather washing near the tanneries. This view is very reminiscent of the fictional Moroccan town of Bagghar in the Adventures of Tintin.

While the tannery shows the grimy artisan side of Fez, the imperial side is captures by its spectacular palace and its golden door.



In and around the narrow alleys and markets of Fez The Bou Inania Madrassah is an exemplar of Moorish art.

The Bab Boujloud (blue gate) is the entrance to the souks of the medina in Fes-al Bali.

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