Punic Town of Kerkuane and its Necropolis

Perched on Tunisia’s Cap Bon Peninsula, the Punic Town of Kerkuane whispers stories from over 2,500 years ago — a rare Punic city that time itself chose to preserve. Unlike Carthage, which was rebuilt and reshaped by the Romans, Kerkuane remains frozen in its original form, offering an unfiltered glimpse into the urban life of the Carthaginian world.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, Kerkuane and its necropolis stand as a silent archive of Punic civilization — a city that thrived between the 6th and 3rd centuries BCE before being abandoned during the First Punic War. Its streets, baths, and sanctuaries remain astonishingly intact, preserving the essence of Phoenician ingenuity and Mediterranean craftsmanship.

A City Frozen in Time

Walking through Kerkuane feels like entering a blueprint of ancient life. The town’s grid layout reveals advanced urban planning: paved streets, drainage systems, and houses complete with baths lined with pink stucco — a touch of Punic luxury. Archaeologists found traces of purple dye production, the symbol of Tyrian prestige, once used to color garments fit for queens and priests.

Each home reflects the artistry of its people — geometric mosaics, sunlit courtyards, and ritual spaces dedicated to the goddess Tanit. Kerkuane’s citizens honored their gods and ancestors through daily acts of devotion, leaving behind amulets, pottery, and offerings that still whisper their prayers through the sand.

The Necropolis: Echoes of the Eternal

Just beyond the city walls lies the necropolis, a resting ground for Kerkuane’s ancient souls. Burials here reveal elaborate funerary rituals — urns for cremations, grave goods, and protective symbols meant to guide the departed to the afterlife. Each tomb tells a story of identity, status, and belief, shedding light on how the Punic people viewed life, death, and divine rebirth.

• Urban Design — An intact Punic city layout, complete with paved roads and advanced water systems.
• Domestic Life — Houses equipped with private baths, workshops, and vibrant courtyards.
• Sacred Spaces — Shrines devoted to Tanit and Baal Hammon, blending faith and function.
• Necropolis — A sacred field of memory, where art and ritual meet eternity.

“Kerkuane is not a ruin — it’s a time capsule. A city that paused history, allowing us to listen to the heartbeat of a vanished world.”

Featured Experience: Cap Bon Peninsula: Cultural & Coastal Tour

Step beyond the ruins — into the living memory of Carthage’s forgotten twin.

The “Kerkuane Heritage & Archaeological Insight” experience invites travelers to uncover the daily life of a Punic city untouched by conquest. Wander through the labyrinth of ancient streets, visit the nearby museum that guards rare Phoenician artifacts, and gaze across the sea that once carried the sails of Carthaginian traders.

A visit to Kerkuane is a journey through silence — where every stone, bath, and burial speaks the language of endurance and memory.