Fes, Morocco

Pottery, Ceramics & Mosaics

Fes, Morocco is renowned for a few different things in the world. Some you may be aware of and some maybe not. Fes (Fez) is often referred to as the country’s cultural capital and is the second-largest city in Morocco. The Medina of Fes is listed at a Unesco World Heritage Site.

The city is the center for many different types of art forms like pottery, ceramics, stoneworks, and painting just to name a few. Each item is so detailed and intricate. The tiles and mosaics are hand shaped and the designs are put together face down and by memory. It is such a true display of talent and artwork that goes back centuries! Fes is a fantastic place in Morocco to be mesmerized by true handmade artwork.

The World Famous Tannery

Another one of the things Fes, Morocco is most famous for is the Tannery. This is where they treat and dye the leather goods that they produce. It is a really cool place and I highly recommend going to at least check it out. Before you walk in a lot of the places will give you a sprig of mint to keep near your nose because the smell can be overwhelming, although my dumb ass didn’t put 2 and 2 together so I ate the mint… lol apparently I am part goat…

Anyway, this place is really cool to watch the process. I am not a big buyer of “things” when I travel so be aware that when you walk in/through, you are walking through leather shops and they will make you a “good deal.” I find that they tend to charge a little more than the normal cost but most places are definitely willing to haggle with you on the price. Still, the best price is the one you are both comfortable with and both parties walk away happy.

Shop Till You Drop?

Whenever I travel with people I tend to think of the scene in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory where Gene Wilder leads the children into the edible room and he says, “But do be careful, my dear children! Don’t lose your heads! Don’t get overexcited! Keep very calm!” I very often feel the need to tell myself and others that when traveling, so we don’t go crazy buying everything in sight right away.

You can look and browse and haggle and go to another place and come back. You can take your time to make a decision that you are totally happy with. The odds are that if you don’t buy something right then and there, you will probably come across something very similar just down the road.