Finding El Debbaghin (Les Tanneurs)

I received a question about the 1000 year old tanneries in the Medina. So here is a quick answer on how to find the tanneries.

Maybe the easiest route is to enter the Medina through the Bab Guissa and follow the blue signs. There is a special sign telling you about the tanneries so you can not miss it.

If you enter through the Bab Bou Jeloud Turn to your right and then first left. This is the beginning of the Talaa Sghira. Continue all the way down until you come to the end and turn right towards the Mausaleum of Moulay Idriss and al-Qaraouiyin Mosque. Go around the left side of the mosque and then straight ahead. On the other side of the mosque you will find El-Debbaghin (Les Tanneurs). Ask anyone and they will help you.


Bab al-Guissa

Built in the 12th century during Almohad rule, the Bab al-Guissa carries the name of the governor of the city at the time. It is one of the five gates of the old Qayrawan section of the city, and one of the three central gates of the city.

The arched stone gate is topped with a narrow green tile cornice on the city side. The angular shape and the upper level terrace were designed for defense, providing those within the city with space from which to fend off enemy forces before they penetrated the city.

The current fortifications of the city date to the Almoravid era in which the old fortifications that divided Fez into two sections (Qarawiyah and Andalusiyya) were destroyed. Instead, the Almoravids united the two sections within a single fortification. The Marinid sultans completed the fortification and restored the gate after creating the new section of the city, Fez al-Jadid.

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