Souk El Berka

El Berka was built by Yusuf Dey in 1612 and was meant to sell slaves coming from West and Central Africa.

Slaves of European origin, considered rarer and more precious, were not sold in the souk but in private locations because the sale concerned only wealthy potential buyers.

Located at the crossroads of four streets, Souk El Berka takes a square shape and has three aisles separated by two rows of columns.

[1] Formerly a wooden platform at the centre 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.