Souq often used as in the Grand Socco and Petit Socco of Tangiers. In the sub-continent, a different corruption, 'chowk', is often used in place of souq. The term is often used generically to designate the market in any Western Asian city, but may also be used in Western cities, particularly those with a Muslim community. Documentary sources point to permanent marketplaces in Middle Eastern cities from as early as 550 BCE. A souq was originally an open-air marketplace. Historically, souqs were held outside cities at locations where incoming caravans stopped and merchants displayed their goods for sale. Souqs were established
Souk El Blat Souk El Blat Souk El Blat () is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis, specialized in medicinal plants. Souk El Blat is located at the heart of the medina of Tunis. It can be accessed from the south from the Al-Zaytuna Mosque by walking through Souk El Kachachine, or from the Dyers Street. Souk El Blat includes several notable monuments, including: There is no clear consensus as to when the souk was first established. Some say that it was founded in the 9th century under the Aghlabids, an Arab dynasty that ruled significant portions of North Africa.