Houmt Souk, Town on the island of Djerba, Medenine Governorate, Tunisia
Houmt Souk is the main town on the island of Djerba in the Medenine Governorate, Tunisia. It sits along the coast and has a working fishing port, a covered market, several mosques, and a small heritage museum.
The town was built over the remains of a Roman city called Gerba, a name that eventually spread to the whole island. Later, under Ottoman rule, the fortress known as Borj El Kbir was expanded and still stands near the port today.
In the lanes of Houmt Souk, artisans can be seen making silver jewelry, pottery, and woven goods right outside their small shops. The whitewashed houses with blue shutters and arcaded passages shape the look of the old town and invite slow walking.
The market and port are most active in the early morning, when fish traders and vendors set up their stalls. Getting around on foot is easy since the town sits on flat ground and its main points of interest are close to each other.
The fish market in Houmt Souk is known for its own auction system where buyers make bids by shaking hands rather than calling out prices. This silent method allows prices to be set discreetly and has been in use for generations.
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