FES -MEDINA AND LEATHER TANNERIES, MOROCCO| FAMILY TRAVEL VIDEO| 4K HD VIDEO| DECEMBER 2023

FES MEDINA
A unique, ancient, and appealing city, the Fez Medina in Morocco holds true to its definition that it once was a non-European city in Africa or the Middle East. In Morocco, medina simply means “city”. And, Fez has two: the Fes-el-Djedid (new), built in the 14th century and Fez-el-Bali (old), which was built towards the end of the late eighth century. Built by the first Muslim Dynasty, the Idrissids, the renowned medina sits on the banks of the Fez River. Locals claim that the Kairouiyine Mosque, constructed during the reign of Yahya ibn Muhammed, is one of the oldest in Africa. In 859, the University of Karueein, as it is now called, was officially founded, giving the Fez Medina one of the oldest universities in the world.
The majority of the Fez Medina’s population was made up of refugees from surrounding Moorish dynasties, namely from Andalusia, Kairouan, and Tunisia. Each group established their own districts within the medina, usually separated by geographical markers, such as the river or surrounding rolling hills. Historically, the city was a melting pot of North African Muslims and Jews, who resided in what is known as the Mellah district. Today, people originating from Fez tend to have lighter skin tones, blond hair, and even green and blue eyes.
Throughout Fez’s long history, the leadership of the city often marked the personality of the city. When the Fatimids took over rule of the city in 917, the Idrissids who recaptured the territory in 960 soon overthrew them. In 985, it was taken over by the Ommayyads. Held until 1069, the Almoravid Sultan, Youssef ibn Tachfin succeeded in conquering it. Credited with joining the two walled cities into one, he erected one wall around both cities. Eventually, the Merenids move into Fez Medina in 1269, making it their new capital.
This era was the start of two centuries of building monuments and other important structures. The new quarter was started under Sultan Abu Youssef in 1437. The city remained somewhat stable until 1548, when the Saadians captured the old medina and made it part of the Moroccan Empire. Marrakesh was made into the new capital. But, with the rise of the Ottoman Empire, ruled by under Suleyman, the Magnificent, Fez Medina became the capital again. Followed by unrest and extreme poverty, Moulay Rashid took power in 1666.
Built with winding narrow alleyways, the walk through the Fez Medina is a walk back into time - a complicated labyrinth built to thwart invasions. This city remains a picture of medieval Islamic society set in modern times. Muslim women, especially in Fez’s past, had the tradition of keeping their faces covered from all males except family. Patios were built with high walls, which resulted in making the alleyways dark, but cool in the scorching summer months. Narrow winding streets make bicycles, donkeys and mules the chosen means of transportation. Mosques are in the center of the city with shops and residences built around them. Some habitants have stated that the residents of the old medina could live their entire life without ever venturing outside.
Bali, General Lyautey saved the oldest quarter of the Fez Medina when the French took over. He put into place the modern regulations that protect the medieval city from modern development.
Fez’s old Medina is still based on traditional industries, such as tanneries, soap making, textile and flourmills, along with oil processing. Cereal grains, olives, grapes and beans are the major crops of the area. Farming, raising sheep, cattle, and goats is still a stable way of life just along the city’s outskirts.
The Fez Medina has been named to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
TANNERIES:
Two of the most ancient tanneries are found directly in the heart of Fes el-Bali’s historic medina, The Chouara and Sidi Moussa (also known as Guerniz) tanneries.
While it can be overwhelming to navigate the allies of Fes’s Medina you can be confident that a local guide can bring you there with ease.
Don’t be alarmed when you walk inside, most of the shops seem to be almost purposefully confusing inside. Think like IKEA, they want you to see everything before you leave.
In Morocco, the traditional leather tanneries are where animal skins are transformed into leather through a completely hands-on artisanal craft approach. The purpose is to turn raw hide into leather otherwise, the rawhide with rot and putrefy. Upon completion, the leather will become more durable, robust, and resistant to deterioration and fading.
Unquestionably the city of Fes has some of the oldest tanneries in Morocco and the world dating back to the 11th century, which is about 1000 years old. Their methods of processing leather have remained the same all these centuries later.
Working in a traditional leather tannery in Morocco is considered to be a good job and is a source of pride that is carried down generationally.
Hope you all enjoyed the video
Stay tuned for the forthcoming videos

[@eshaelaf5987]

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[@houtianas1596]

Bro i will correct some informations fez has more than 9000 alleyways it s the biggest car free zone in the world in morocco we use dirham not dinnar more than that we dont have only tannery fez it s the city of 400 handicrafts u didn t visit the industry of authentic zelij they made it piece by piece small pieces we have also the oldest university in the world the oldest library the oldest psychological hospital ..... Welcome to morocco

[@Rediscoveringworld1]

Thanks for the valuable information. Highly appreciated