Exploring the Medina Fez

Meeting our guide for the day, we set off to the entrance to the oldest Medina in Morocco. This is one of the largest car free urban zones in the world. Like stepping back into Medieval times. You enter a bustling world of narrow passages, some only wide enough to allow a person to pass through. Many of the homes have a door within a door. The small one for family the larger for guests, they have separate knockers, distinguishable by their sound. When the door is open you can't see into the homes as there is a wall inside of the door directing you left or right, therefore making it more private. There are no windows to the outside world but windows onto an inner courtyard, providing light and air as well as an out door space.

There are many businesses in the Medina. Skilled craftsmen can be seen at there trade, we witnessed weaving, wood working, pottery and leather work. Alongside many shops selling daily products, fruit, meat, fish, bread. As well as household products, clothing and luxury goods. The shops are tiny and people shop every day for the days food.
There are some very ancient and beautiful buildings within the Medina. We saw a restored Inn for camel trains, with three highly decorated floors. The camels stayed in the central courtyard and the rooms above were used by the traders.
The iconic tannery (seen in many photos) was an interesting place to visit. The skins from the carcasses of goats, cows and camels are turned into beautiful soft leather for coats and bags. We were given sticks of mint leaves to help disguise the horrible ammonia smell. Overlooking the dying tubs we saw skins hanging to dry in the hot sunshine.

We had a typical Morocco lunch, with cooked vegetable salad to start with and tagine to follow.

It was a very enjoyable day, tiring especially with the big lunch.
Back at the hotel about 5.30 to chill for a while.Read more