Carthage, founded according to legend in 814 BC
Carthage, founded according to legend in 814 BC by Queen Dido, was for 700 years the greatest maritime power in the Western Mediterranean, rival to Rome. Destroyed in 146 BC then refounded by Augustus, it became the 4th city of the Roman Empire. Today, its 9 UNESCO-listed sites from 1979 constitute one of the finest archaeological ensembles of the Mediterranean: Byrsa, Punic ports, Antonine Baths, theatre, Roman villas, tophet of Salammbô.
Carthage is founded according to tradition in 814 BC by Queen Dido (Élissa), daughter of the King of Tyre exiled after her husband's murder. The name comes from the Phoenician 'Qart Hadasht' (New City). Within centuries, Carthage becomes the most powerful city of the Western Mediterranean, controlling a maritime commercial empire from Spain to Sicily, from the Balearics to Sardinia. Three Punic Wars oppose it to Rome (264–146 BC). Hannibal Barca, son of Carthaginian general Hamilcar, leads the legendary epic across the Alps (218 BC) with his elephants. The final defeat at Zama (202 BC) then total destruction in 146 BC mark the end of Punic Carthage. Scipio Aemilianus is said to have ploughed the soil and scattered salt upon it.
Refounded by Julius Caesar and Augustus as a Roman colony in 29 BC, Carthage quickly becomes the 4th city of the empire after Rome, Alexandria and Antioch, capital of the province of Africa Proconsularis. It counts 500,000 inhabitants in the 2nd century. Antonine Baths (largest thermal complex of Roman Africa), theatre with 7,500 seats, amphitheatre, Zaghouan aqueduct (132 km), forum, basilicas. Saint Augustine teaches rhetoric there before his conversion (370–386). Christianity becomes established early (Council of Carthage 256, death of martyr Cyprian). In the 5th century, the Vandals then Byzantines (Justinian, 533) dominate it.
The Arab conquest (697) marks the end of Carthage. Hassan ibn Numan razes the city definitively and founds Tunis to replace it. Carthage becomes a quarry for materials for Tunis and Kairouan for centuries. The site is rediscovered in the 19th century by French archaeologists (Beulé 1858, Father Delattre 1883). In 1979, UNESCO lists the 9 archaeological sites of Carthage. Today, it is a chic residential district of Tunis (Presidency of the Republic, university, Saint-Louis Cathedral) that houses this exceptional heritage.
9 must-see sites selected by our local team.
Acropolis of Punic Carthage, where Queen Dido is said to have founded the city. Punic remains (columned houses), Roman forum, Carthagena basilica, national museum of Carthage.
Largest thermal complex of Roman Africa (35,000 m²), built under Antoninus Pius (145–162). Immense rooms, mosaics, direct view of the sea. Spectacular.
Two basins in horseshoe shape (circular commercial and interior military) dug in the 4th century BC. Could shelter 220 warships. Exceptional Punic maritime engineering.
Theatre with 7,500 seats, 2nd century AD. Partially reconstructed, it hosts concerts for the International Festival of Carthage in July–August.
Controversial Punic sanctuary: ancient sources (Tertullian, Plutarch) speak of child sacrifices to Baal Hammon and Tanit. Thousands of children's funerary stelae.
Roman residential neighbourhood: House of the Aviary, House of the Chariot Race, House of the Hippopotamus. Exceptional mosaics in situ.
Presumed site of the martyrdom of St Perpetua and Felicity (203). Remains of the foundations and a few tiers.
Largest Early Christian basilica in Africa (5th century). Latin cross plan, hexagonal baptistry, probable burial of Saint Cyprian.
Neo-Byzantine basilica built in 1890 on the Byrsa hill, dedicated to Saint Louis (died in Carthage in 1270). Today the Acropolium, a concert hall.
A journey through the ages that shaped Carthage.
Remains of the Phoenician city founded in 814 BC: columned houses at Byrsa, military and commercial ports, tophet of Salammbô (place of sacrifices to Baal Hammon and Tanit), necropolises. Testament to Western Phoenician civilisation, Rome's rival for 700 years.
Largest baths in the Roman world after those of Rome. Built under Antoninus Pius. 35,000 m², 5 levels. Central frigidarium 30 m high supported by 8 monolithic columns of Egyptian granite. Today only the basements remain, but the scale is still impressive.
Semi-circular theatre with 7,500 seats, partially reconstructed in the 20th century. Witnessed performances by Apuleius and Tertullian. Today, prestigious venue for the International Festival of Carthage (established in 1964) which welcomes the world's greatest artists every summer.
Roman aqueduct 132 km long bringing water from the Zaghouan spring to Carthage, one of the longest in the Empire. 70 km above ground, 62 km in underground galleries. Remains still visible between Tunis and Zaghouan (arches of el Mhamdia, Mohammedia).
Largest Early Christian basilica in Africa: 65 × 45 m, 9 naves, Latin cross plan. Probable burial of Saint Cyprian (died in 258). Exceptional hexagonal baptistry. Testament to the rapid Christianisation of Roman Carthage.
Maghreb's most prestigious festival since 1964. Concerts in the Roman theatre: Sting, Patrick Bruel, Marcel Khalifé, Marcel Dadi, Andrea Bocelli. High-level international programme.
Flight Djerba–Tunis 1h (€80 return) + TGM or taxi 25 min. Car: 6h45 (565 km via A1). TGM (light metro) from Tunis Marine: 25 min, 3 DT. Stations Carthage Hannibal, Carthage Présidence.
TGM is the most practical way to connect the sites. Taxis 5–10 DT between sites. Walking possible but distances are significant (5 km north to south).
1 full day to visit the 9 main sites (Byrsa, Antonine baths, Punic ports, theatre, tophet, villas, amphitheatre, Damous El Karita, museum). 1 half-day for the essentials (Byrsa + baths + ports).
12 DT, valid for 24 hours, gives access to the 9 sites + national museum. Available at Byrsa, the baths or the tourist office. Essential.
Not just that. Carthage is today an upmarket residential neighbourhood of Tunis (seat of the Republic, university, cathedral, upscale restaurants). The archaeological sites are scattered throughout the neighbourhood.
Yes from age 8, with a guide who tells the stories (Hannibal, Dido, child sacrifices at the tophet). The distances between sites can tire younger ones: take a taxi or TGM.
Absolutely. Unique atmosphere of a concert in an ancient Roman theatre, prestigious international programme (60–150 DT per ticket), impeccable organisation. Book 3 months in advance via official Festival.
Our local team designs your ideal Carthage programme. Private car or group place, the cheapest on the market.
