Souk El Berka, Tunis
Souk El Berka is a market situated in the Medina of Tunis, known for its specialization in the jewelry trade. It was initially constructed by Yusuf Dey in 1612 as a marketplace for the sale of slaves from West and Central Africa. However, European slaves, being considered rare and more valuable, were only sold in private locations to wealthy buyers. Following the abolition of slavery in Tunisia in 1846, Souk El Berka transformed into a market for jewelers.
The market is located near the Kasbah district, which serves as the government's headquarters, as well as other souks such as Souk El Bey, Souk Ech-Chaouachine, and Souk El Leffa. It has a square shape, with three aisles separated by two rows of columns, and is situated at the intersection of four streets. In the past, a wooden platform in the center of the market was used to present slaves, and it was covered by a central dome and several side vaults, which led to the name 'Berka.'
The market is located near the Kasbah district, which serves as the government's headquarters, as well as other souks such as Souk El Bey, Souk Ech-Chaouachine, and Souk El Leffa. It has a square shape, with three aisles separated by two rows of columns, and is situated at the intersection of four streets. In the past, a wooden platform in the center of the market was used to present slaves, and it was covered by a central dome and several side vaults, which led to the name 'Berka.'
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.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Souk El Berka on Map
Sight Name: Souk El Berka
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.
Carthage Walking Tour
The Roman statesman Cato the Elder ended every speech the same way, no matter the subject: “Carthage must be destroyed”. Not because the city was weak, but because it was powerful enough to worry Rome even in silence.
Carthage’s ruins sit on the northeastern edge of modern Tunis, looking out over the Gulf of Tunis. The name Carthage ultimately comes from the Punic word meaning “new... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Carthage’s ruins sit on the northeastern edge of modern Tunis, looking out over the Gulf of Tunis. The name Carthage ultimately comes from the Punic word meaning “new... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tunis Introduction Walking Tour
Born in Tunis in 1332, Arab scholar and historian Ibn Khaldun later looked back at his home city when writing the book “Introduction”, describing Tunis itself as a living urban organism shaped by power, trade and learning.
Tunis, the capital of modern Tunisia, stands at a historical crossroads of the Mediterranean, shaped by more than three millennia. The name Tunis is generally believed to... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tunis, the capital of modern Tunisia, stands at a historical crossroads of the Mediterranean, shaped by more than three millennia. The name Tunis is generally believed to... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 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;...