The Leather Tanneries of Marrakech (Les Tanneries), located at the far northeastern edge of the historic medina, are among the oldest active industrial quarters in the city. Operating continuously since the founding of Marrakech in the 11th century by the Almoravid dynasty, this raw, hard-working district is where raw hides are transformed into Morocco's famous supple leather. The tanneries are organized as an open-air labyrinth of massive stone and concrete vats filled with natural chemical solutions, dyes, and organic fluids. Generational guilds of master tanners and laborers use ancient, grueling manual techniques to process goat, sheep, cow, and camel skins, supplying the raw materials for the endless leather goods sold throughout the city's souks.

Why You Should Visit

You should visit the leather tanneries to witness the medieval industrial craftsmanship completely untouched by modern manufacturing technology. Watching the tanners stand thigh-deep in pungent vats, manually treading and scrubbing heavy hides under the blazing sun, offers a profound appreciation for the intense human labor behind every leather bag, jacket, and pair of babouche slippers sold in the markets.