Going to Morocco and exploring Fez, sometimes considered as the cultural capital city of the country, may be a good opportunity to know a bit more about the Chouara tannery that dates back to the eleventh century, but that is still working like in the old days.
Wandering in the narrows streets of Fez and getting surrounded by old buildings is already something you will remember for a while, but what if you went further and checked out the tannery nearby? First, you will notice a bunch of wells filled up with something liquid colored in red, brown or white. You just arrived in Chouara!
As in every tannery, animal skins are brought there to get cleaned up, dyed and turned into leather goods that will be sold in the neighborhood. How does it work precisely?
First, you must have the animal skins soaked in a preparation composed of cow urine, bird droppings, lime and water. This process is going to make the hair leave and soften the skin. After a few days of maceration, the animal skins are stretched on balconies to have them dried. Then, it is time for the dying step!
What is your favorite color? The Chouara tanners will then dive the animal skins in the wells of color for several days to make sure the dying process is efficient. Something appreciating about the Fez tannery is that you can come and observe the whole process if you are interested in it.
Due to the smell of cow urine and bird droppings, you will be kindly offered mint to put under your nose if you feel like it is hard to breathe. The tannery is located close the al-Qarawiyyïn university that was built up in 859, making it the oldest university in the world.