Leather Tanning

Leather tanning is one of the oldest crafts in Syria, with Damascus and its countryside being the main center for this craft since ancient times, dating back to the era of early humans.

Syrian Provinces Famous for Leather Production: Damascus and its countryside – Aleppo – Homs – Hama.

Tanning transforms animal hides into a useful material for making clothing, shoes, furniture, decorative items, bags, and book covers, while preserving the leather from decay and enhancing its flexibility and durability.

Brief Manufacturing Process:

ü     Soaking the hides in large vats of water with tannin, extracted from plants such as oak and chestnut.

ü     Leaving the hides to partially dry according to their thickness (from one month to one year).

ü     Saturating the leather with oils and fats to make it water-resistant.

Syrian leather is considered among the finest in Arab and global markets, reflecting the skill and creativity of Syrian artisans throughout history.