 | ||
Similar Souq el Ouzar, Youssef Dey Mosque, Hammouda Pacha Mosque, Dar El Haddad, Dar El Bey | ||
Souk El Berka is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis. The market traders specialise in the jewellery trade.
Contents
Histoiry
El Berka was built by Yusuf Dey in 1612 and was meant to sale slaves coming from the Sub-Saharan Africa. Slaves of European origin, considered more rare and more precious, weren't sold in the souk but in private locations because the sale concerned only wealthy potential buyers. This souk turned onto jewelers souk after the abolition of slavery in Tunisia decreed by Ahmad I ibn Mustafa in 1846.
Location
The souk is located near the kasbah, the seat of the head of government, Dar El Bey, and other souks for example Souk El Bey, Souk Ech-Chaouachine, and Souk El Leffa. It is perpendicular to Souk El Trouk (Turks).
Architecture
Located at the crossroads of four streets, Souk El Berka takes a square shape and has three aisles separated by two rows of columns. Formerly a wooden platform at the center was the place where slaves were presented (that was the origin of the name berka) and waited for the outcome of the sale. The place was covered by a central dome and several side vaults.