The Expanded Narrative
Known as Souk al-Shanini, it is one of the oldest and most famous popular souqs of Taiz, also called the old souq of Taiz, stretching through the old alleys within the city.
A historical glance
Known as Souk al-Shanini, it is one of the oldest and most famous popular souqs of Taiz, also called the old souq of Taiz. It stretches through the old alleys within the city, and for centuries was the main source of goods and products for the governorate’s inhabitants, becoming over time a draw for visitors and vendors alike.
Location and function
Located in central Taiz within the old city, between Bab Musa and al-Bab al-Kabir, it was a weekly souq held on Mondays and Thursdays for over four centuries before becoming a permanent market after the September revolution.
Products and trade activities
The souq is famous for a wide range of popular and heritage goods such as local spices, dried legumes, pottery and traditional agricultural tools, in addition to local products such as the famous Taizi cheese.
Crafts and popular identity
In its historical heyday, the souq was a destination for craftsmen such as tailors, embroiderers and blacksmiths displaying their handmade products, making it a haven of authentic traditional crafts.
