Archaeological Site of Carthage

Once the glittering capital of a maritime empire, Carthage rose on the shores of present-day Tunisia as a rival to Rome and a beacon of Phoenician ambition. Founded in the 9th century BCE by settlers from Tyre, this ancient city shaped Mediterranean history — and paid the price for its greatness in fire and legend.

Today, the Archaeological Site of Carthage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, stands as both a ruin and a revelation. Amid the scattered stones and broken columns lies a city reborn through centuries, where Punic foundations meet Roman grandeur and Byzantine faith.

The Rise and Fall of a Maritime Empire

Carthage’s origins lie in the legendary tale of Queen Dido, who fled Phoenicia to found a new city by the sea. From its harbors flowed commerce, innovation, and exploration. Carthage mastered navigation and trade, sending ships as far as the Atlantic — and for centuries, it rivaled Greece and Rome in wealth and influence.

The city’s twin harbors — one for trade and one for war — symbolized Carthage’s dual spirit: merchants and warriors intertwined. But its rivalry with Rome ignited the Punic Wars, culminating in its destruction in 146 BCE. Rome leveled the city, only to rebuild it a century later — as if even conquest could not silence its brilliance.

The Layers of Civilization

Modern Carthage is a mosaic of eras. Beneath Roman villas lie Punic sanctuaries, and Byzantine chapels rise among Roman baths. The Antonine Baths, one of the largest in the ancient world, still overlook the Gulf of Tunis, while the Tophet of Salammbô preserves a sacred space that has stirred centuries of mystery and debate.

• Punic Ports — The circular military harbor and rectangular commercial basin, feats of naval design.
• Antonine Baths — Monumental Roman ruins showcasing imperial luxury and engineering.
• Tophet Sanctuary — A sacred precinct to Tanit and Baal Hammon, symbol of Carthage’s spiritual roots.
• Byrsa Hill — The city’s ancient acropolis, offering panoramic views and traces of Phoenician origins.

“Carthage is not a ruin to mourn — it’s a testament to rebirth. A city that taught the world how to rise again from its own ashes.”

Featured Experience: Carthage & Sidi Bou Said: Ancient Ruins and Coastal Relaxation

Follow the footsteps of empires — where every stone speaks Latin, Punic, and legend.

The “Carthage Through the Ages” experience leads travelers across the layers of time — from the Phoenician foundation on Byrsa Hill to the Roman and Byzantine marvels that reshaped the city. Visit the Carthage National Museum, explore the ancient harbors, and gaze over the Mediterranean that once carried the might of Hannibal’s empire.

This journey through Carthage is more than a visit — it’s a meditation on endurance, ambition, and the eternal dance between creation and destruction.