A former slaves' market, the Souk el-Berka nowadays sells jewellery and precious stones. The boutiques themselves, created from sculpted wood, 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.