Souk Ech-Chaouachiya, Tunis

The Souk Ech-Chaouchiya (souk of the chechias) dates back to the 17th century, when Tunis welcomed many Andalusian Moorish immigrants who fled from Spain. To repay the generosity of their adopted country, these immigrants made many artistic contributions, most notably in the handicrafts field. They established a flourishing guild of traders for the chechia, a men's hat made from felt, dyed in the traditional Tunisian red. Today, the same craftsman guild still employ the original production process. This very authentic Souk is located between the Mosquee Zitouna and the Place du Gouvernement , in the perimeter between the Sidi Ben Arous street, the Kasba Street and the Souk El-Bey Street. N.L.