A former slaves’ market, the Souk el-Berka nowadays sells jewellery and precious stones. The boutiques themselves, created from sculpted wood which has been painted sky blue, are almost as beautiful as the myriad necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings which sparkle in a blaze of colour. The shopowners, standing eagerly on the doorstep of their property, are often dressed in traditional costume – white trousers, a white waistcoat and a chechia (a red cap) – worn not just to entice tourists judging by the largely Tunisian customers, particularly girls, who flock here to window shop and buy the typically oriental craftwork on display.