Tunisia –Archeological sites

Although the smallest nation in North Africa, Tunisia’s eventful and often dramatic history has been the result of its strategic position. Over the centuries, the country which was once the exclusive home of the Berbers, has, at one time or another, been settled on by most the world's greatest powers; from the Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals and Byzantines, Arabs, Ottomans and French. There are eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

1. Amphitheatre of El Jem

The power and glory of Imperial Rome can be easily seen in the small village of El Jem, where the impressive ruins of the largest colosseum in North Africa can be found. This huge 3rd century amphitheatre once held up to 35,000 spectators, and still attracts and amazes thousands of people today.


2. Medina of Tunis

From the 12th to the 16th century, Tunis was one of the Islamic world’s most important cities. Today  it boasts around 700 ancient monuments, including mausoleums, madrasas, palaces and fountains.

3. Site of Carthage

Carthage, founded in 814BC, became the home of an extraordinary civilisation and trading empire throughout the Mediterranean. In 146BC, the original Carthage was destroyed by the Romans who established a second namesake city, Roman Carthage, on the ruins of the first.

4. Ichkeul National Park

Park is 30km southwest of Bizerte encompassing Lake Ichkeul and adjoining Jebel Ichkeul mountain. An important bird sanctuary, 200,000 waterfowl such as storks and flamingoes migrate here every year to escape the harsh European winters. Fauna include mongoose, porcupines, wild boar and water buffalo (the descendents of just one pair given to Ahmed Bey in 1840!).

5. Punic Town of Kerkouane, and its Necropolis

The remains of this Phoenician city, abandoned during the First Punic War  (c. 250BC) are the only surviving remains of a Phoenicio-Punic city, and reveal some astonishingly sophisticated town planning ideas.

6. Kairouan

Founded in 670, Kairouan is a principal holy city of Islam. Its rich architectural heritage includes the Great Mosque and the Mosque of the Three Gates that date back to the 9th century.

7. Medina of Sousse

Sousse was an important commercial and military port, and typical of a town dating from the early centuries of Islam. With its kasbah, ramparts, medina (with Sousse’s Great Mosque), Bou Ftata Mosque and typical ribat, Sousse have been a hugely important part of Tunisia’s coastal defense system in previous eras.

8. Dougga / Thugga

The town of Thugga was the capital of an important Libyco-Punic state that flourished under Roman and Byzantine rule, but declined in the Islamic period. The impressive ruins that are still visible today give some idea of the resources of a small Roman town on the fringes of the empire.

Other historic sites worth a visit include Chemtou, Thuburbo Majus, Maktar, Monastir, Chenini, Utique and Jugurtha’s Table.