Archaeological & UNESCO World Heritage sites in Tunisia

If you are spending your holidays in Tunisia, you should definitely take a look at the Tunis Medina that has bustling marketplaces, the age-old city of Carthage. The fabulous mosaics seen in the Bardo Museum, the third largest colosseum in the world (EL Jem), and Bulla Regia that has underground villas.

Eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

1. Amphitheatre of El Jem

The tiny village of El Jem that holds the striking remains of North Africa’s largest colosseum can be seen here and it depicts the Imperial Rome’s supremacy and glory. This huge amphitheatre that belongs to the 3rd century used to hold nearly 35,000 spectators. It still attracts thousands of people today, who are genuinely amazed by it.

El Jem Colosseum

2. Medina of Tunis

Tunis was one of the world’s top Islamic cities for its prosperity and importance and it remained that way from the 12th century to the 16th century. It currently boasts of nearly 700 ancient monuments that include madrasas, fountains, mosques, palaces and mausoleums.

Medina – Tunis

3. Site of Carthage

Founded in 814 B.C. , Carthage was soon transformed into the nest for an amazing civilisation and trading region across the Mediterranean. The Romans destroyed the original Carthage in 146 B.C. and established on the ruins, Roman Carthage, a second namesake city.

Carthage

4. Ichkeul National Park

This National park that is situated 30km (18 miles) southwest of Bizerte is listed as a World Heritage. It encompasses the Lake Ichkeul and the adjacent Jebel Ichkeul mountains. This bird sanctuary sees over 200,000 freshwater birds like flamingoes, storks and geese, which come every year during the harsh European winter season. Jackals, porcupines, mongoose , water buffalo and wild boar are the various types of fauna and in 1840 one pair of descendent among them was given to Ahmed Bey. An information hub, picnic tables, car park and marked hiking routes are providing a better experience when visiting the park.

Ichkeul National Park

5. Punic Town of Kerkouane, and its Necropolis

The remains of the Phoenician city are the only surviving remains of a Phoenicio-Punic city, which was abandoned in 250BC during the First Punic War. Some amazingly classy town planning ideas are being revealed by this ancient city.

Punic Town of Kerkouane

6. Kairouan

Kairouan, which was founded in year 670, is Islam’s main holy city. Great Mosque along with the Mosque of the Three Gates speaks of its rich architectural legacy. They belong to the 9th century.

Kairouan mosque

7. Medina of Sousse

Sousse, which is a typical early century Islamic town, was a chief trade and military port. Sousse’s important role in the Tunisian coastal defense system of the previous regimes is clear from the typical ribat, Bou Ftata Mosque, medina along with Sousse’s Great Mosque, ramparts and kasbah.

Ribat – Sousse

8. Dougga / Thugga

Even though the town of Thugga declined during the Islamic period, it was the centre the vital Libyco-Punic region, which thrived during Roman and Byzantine rule. The ruins that are currently visible portrays a small Roman town’s resources when in the peripheries of an empire.

Dougga

Chemtou, Maktar, Thuburbo Majus, Monastir, Utique, Jugurtha’s Table and Chenini are some of the other worthy sites to visit.