Ets Troudi Belhassen, Tunis
What to buy here: The Chechia.
The Chechia is the close-fitting traditional red skull cap worn in Tunisia. The history of the Chechia in Tunisia dates back five hundred years, to the time when Andalusian Arabs arrived from Spain. A cousin of the European beret, the headpiece comes in several types and colors, but only the Tunisian Chechia is red.
The tourists, who see the Chechia as an excellent exotic ornament, that they bring back as souvenirs, hardly imagine the hard work involved in making it or at least the way it was carried out by the code of practice or by its quality. The beautiful Chechia, made of worsted and knitted wool, are created by women who also make the bonnets Kabbous. These bonnets sink in hot water and soap after they are sent to pressing ( men press them with their feet to soften them until the stitches of knitting will disappear).
More and more young people rediscover the red woolen traditional hat that was at one time worn by all Tunisian men but certain “Chechia” are even designed currently for women who wear them on evening occasions. Now it is more used as an accessory during occasional holidays.
Made by highly skilled craftsman, the Chechia occupies three whole sections of the local market of Madina in Tunis; Among the various souks in the Medina of Tunis, the Ech-Chaouachine souks, or Bazaars, have the particularity to specialize in typical Tunisian handicrafts, since it is here that the Chechia witnesses the final stages of its manufacturing.
Price: $15
The Chechia is the close-fitting traditional red skull cap worn in Tunisia. The history of the Chechia in Tunisia dates back five hundred years, to the time when Andalusian Arabs arrived from Spain. A cousin of the European beret, the headpiece comes in several types and colors, but only the Tunisian Chechia is red.
The tourists, who see the Chechia as an excellent exotic ornament, that they bring back as souvenirs, hardly imagine the hard work involved in making it or at least the way it was carried out by the code of practice or by its quality. The beautiful Chechia, made of worsted and knitted wool, are created by women who also make the bonnets Kabbous. These bonnets sink in hot water and soap after they are sent to pressing ( men press them with their feet to soften them until the stitches of knitting will disappear).
More and more young people rediscover the red woolen traditional hat that was at one time worn by all Tunisian men but certain “Chechia” are even designed currently for women who wear them on evening occasions. Now it is more used as an accessory during occasional holidays.
Made by highly skilled craftsman, the Chechia occupies three whole sections of the local market of Madina in Tunis; Among the various souks in the Medina of Tunis, the Ech-Chaouachine souks, or Bazaars, have the particularity to specialize in typical Tunisian handicrafts, since it is here that the Chechia witnesses the final stages of its manufacturing.
Price: $15
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tunis. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Ets Troudi Belhassen on Map
Sight Name: Ets Troudi Belhassen
Sight Location: Tunis, Tunisia (See walking tours in Tunis)
Sight Type: Shopping
Sight Location: Tunis, Tunisia (See walking tours in Tunis)
Sight Type: Shopping
Walking Tours in Tunis, Tunisia
Create Your Own Walk in Tunis
Creating your own self-guided walk in Tunis is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tunis Introduction Walking Tour
Tunis is the capital of Tunisia and one of the largest cities in the Arab world. Tunis was a Berber settlement founded on and around the ancient city of Carthage. The settlement of Tunis dates as far back as the 4th century BCE. It became the capital city in 1159.
The city was controlled by numerous empires over the years, which has lent to its interesting art and architecture. With influences... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
The city was controlled by numerous empires over the years, which has lent to its interesting art and architecture. With influences... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Carthage Walking Tour
Carthage is a modern, upscale seaside suburb of Tunis and a unique place of archaeological and cultural value, situated at the site of an ancient capital of the Carthaginian (Punic) civilization, which fell to Rome in the 2nd century BC.
The settlement was founded by the Phoenicians in the first millennium BC and, after being destroyed by the Romans in the course of three Punic Wars, emerged... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
The settlement was founded by the Phoenicians in the first millennium BC and, after being destroyed by the Romans in the course of three Punic Wars, emerged... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Tunis Souvenirs: 15 Authentic Tunisian Products for Avid Traveler
A historic crossroads of many civilizations and influences, - Berber, Spanish, French, - Tunisia is a treasure trove of mementos waiting for a knowledgeable traveler to be picked up. The Medina market of Tunis (the capital city) is one of the best places to shop for local handcrafts. To help...
Tunisian Sweets and Pastries
No Tunisian meal is complete without a lavish dessert at the end. And Tunisians do take their sweets seriously, be it fresh seasonal fruits, cakes, fried almond pastries, ice cream, doughnuts or whatever else. Some of these delights have come from Turkey, brought by soldiers of the Ottoman army;...