Souk Erbaa (Tunis) Explained

Souk Erbaa (Arabic: سوق الربع) is one of the souks in the medina of Tunis.^[1]

Etymology

Some historians say that the souk got its name erbaa or quarter from the fact that the quarter of the incomes in every shop was paid as a tax.Some others believe that this name comes from the word tarbiaa (Arabic: تربيعة) that refers to the position in which the traders of this souk used to sit in front of their shops with their legs crossed.

Location

It is located in the south of Al-Zaytuna Mosque, near Souk El Souf.

History

The souk was founded during the Hafsid era between 1128 and 1535.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Ahmed Saadaoui, Tunis, ville ottomane : trois siècles d'urbanisme et d'architecture, Tunis, Centre de publication universitaire, 2001, 538 p., p. 389
2. https://medneta.eu/sites/default/files/uploads/1_Historique_des_espaces_de_production_et_dechanges_dans_la_Medina_de_Tunis%20_Adnen%20el%20Ghali.pdf Historique des espaces de production et d’échanges dans la Médina de Tunis