In Meknes we visited a ceramic factory. The men below were making a mosaic pillar out of small tile chips. All the pieces had to be put on inside out and the pattern had to exactly match the already completed other half, below.
These pots were stunning and it was really tempting to buy something but we resisted the temptation.
The mosaic decorated gate into the Medina. Meknes is one of the most extensive and and best conserved historic towns of the Arab- muslim world. It is also the former capital of Morocco. The narrow streets were crowded and lined with riads (houses ) and shops where artisans use age-old tools and methods to create handicrafts and other goods.
This man was selling bananas which already looked very over ripe.
Lunch stop at a former palace. The moroccan food is very tasty.
Coppersmiths at work.
One of my favourite places we visited was the Tannery where the lambskins are dyed for making leather jackets and bags etc. On the wall outside is some of the dead wool removed from the animal. The fast flowing stream running along the tannery was used for washing the skins before they were treated for dyeing.
The smell was pretty bad and we were given a large sprig of mint to hold up to our noses. I guess it helped a little. The dye pots in the back ground were the ones used for dyeing the skins but only two pots were in use at the time we were there. The skins in the foreground are drying after being dyed.
Laying the skins in the pot ready for dyeing.
A mosque in the old town centre.
Our final place to visit in Meknes was an old Caravansary where 20,000 men and the same number of horses were housed during travel stops. The main building is still reasonably intact but a lot was also in ruins. Quite spectacular and it was huge.
Our coffee stop on the main street. The strongest and most bitter coffee was served. These cafes are always frequented by males.
Stocking up the pastry cabinet.
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