Detailed Program:

Your experience begins with a warm Moroccan welcome, a glass of freshly brewed mint tea, and a plate of traditional sweets served in the workshop’s riad-style space. Your master artisan will walk you through the rich history of Zellige, from its origins in 10th-century Islamic architecture to its iconic role in the royal palaces, mosques, and riads of Fes. You’ll see live demonstrations of each stage of the craft, from raw terracotta to finished mosaic, and gain an eye for the geometry and symmetry that underlies every authentic design.

Now comes the moment you’ve been waiting for, picking up the tools. Under close guidance, you’ll learn to use the traditional menqach (a pointed hammer and chisel) to precisely cut enamel-glazed tiles into the geometric shapes that form Zellige patterns. This is the most meditative part of the process: each tap of the hammer, each angled cut is a small act of patience and focus. Your instructor will show you how to read the tile’s grain, manage your grip, and produce clean cuts, the very same techniques that craftsmen in Fes have mastered for generations.

With your pieces shaped, you’ll begin assembling your mosaic panel, placing each tile face-down onto a pattern template, fitting them together like a puzzle with millimeter precision. You’ll mix and apply the traditional lime-based mortar that binds the design, then carefully flip and finish the panel. The moment you turn it over to reveal the completed pattern is unforgettable.

Each workshop participant leaves with a unique finished Zellige panel, personally crafted and signed, typically 12×12 cm, with the option to create a larger piece at an additional cost, wrapped and ready to carry home as an authentic Moroccan artisanal heritage piece.