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Name of Monument:

Suqs

Location:

Tunis medina, Tunisia

Date of Monument:

17th, 18th and 19th centuries

History:

The suqs of the Tunis medina, particularly those specialising by trade, play an important economic role in the city. Some examples are:



• Suq el-Chaouchiya (selling chechias, woollen hats). Founded by the community of Muslims who had been expelled from Spain in the 17th century.

• Suq Ettrouk (Turkish suq)

• Suq el-Attarine (selling perfume).

• Suq el-Nahas (selling brass and copper).

• Suq el-Bey, founded by Hammouda Pacha (1781–1813)



Located near the Zaytuna Mosque, these are the best suqs in the Tunis medina. The chechia industry particularly was at its peak here in the 19th century. Today, despite the undeniable decrease in demand, chechia production has survived by adapting to a new clientele, and has become the most popular artisanal Tunisian product with tourists.

Description:

The suqs have preserved their beautiful architecture to this day, with different columns, pointed arches, and dark, cool rooms lit by the natural light streaming in through the holes in the whitewashed, vaulted ceilings. Located by the great Zaytuna Mosque, these suqs are always busy and full of life. Each suq is composed of a large central street, with a number of small shops and workshops opening up onto neighbouring narrower alleys, which are covered with vaulted ceilings, made with bricks arranged in different ways to form endless geometric patterns. The woodwork on the shops and their hobnailed doors, painted in a thousand colours and decorated with calligraphic designs, add to the suq's spectacular appearance.

Citation of this web page:

Saloua Khadhar Zangar "Suqs" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=monuments;AWE;tn;18;en

Prepared by: Saloua Khadhar Zangar
Translation by: Flaminia Baldwin

MWNF Working Number: TN 018

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