Carthage

★★★ Carthage (UNESCO World Heritage)

Carthage was once the most powerful city in the western Mediterranean — Rome's arch-enemy, home of Hannibal, center of a trading empire that stretched from Spain to Libya. According to legend, founded in 814 BC by the Phoenician princess Dido, Carthage controlled the sea trade routes until Rome completely destroyed the city in 146 BC after three Punic Wars — the ground was salted so that nothing would grow again.

However, the Romans themselves rebuilt Carthage: Under Augustus, it became the third-largest city of the empire (after Rome and Alexandria), with spectacular baths, theaters, and villas. Today's ruins mostly date from this Roman phase.

The Most Important Sites

★★★ Antoninus Pius Baths (Thermes d'Antonin)

The largest Roman baths outside Rome — and the most impressive ruin of Carthage. From the massive complex, a 15-meter-high column still stands, hinting at the dimensions of the frigidarium (cold bath room). The complex is located right by the sea with a spectacular view over the Gulf of Tunis.

Avenue de la République. Included in the combination ticket.

★★ Byrsa Hill & National Museum

The hill where the Punic acropolis stood. At the top, the French-built Saint-Louis Cathedral (now a cultural center) stands next to the National Museum of Carthage with finds from the Punic and Roman periods. The view from the hill over the entire Gulf is breathtaking.

★★ Tophet (Punic Sanctuary)

One of the most controversial archaeological sites of antiquity: The Tophet was a sanctuary where — according to the disputed thesis — the Carthaginians offered child sacrifices to their gods Baal Hammon and Tanit. Hundreds of urns with children's bones were found. The interpretation is disputed among archaeologists. Fascinating and disturbing at the same time.

★★ Roman Theater & Villa District

The restored theater is used in summer for the Festival International de Carthage (July–August) — concerts and performances in an ancient setting. In the neighborhood: the remains of luxurious Roman villas with well-preserved mosaic floors.

★ Punic Ports

Two artificial harbor basins — the commercial port (circular) and the military port (rectangular) — were the heart of Carthaginian naval power. Today they are water-filled depressions, but a model in the Oceanographic Museum shows how the facility once housed 220 warships simultaneously.

Combination ticket: 12 TND (approx. 3.50€) for all Carthage sites. Available at the entrance of the Antoninus Pius Baths or on Byrsa Hill. The sites are scattered — plan 3–4 hours. Best with the TGM (stations Carthage Salammbô, Carthage Byrsa, Carthage Hannibal, Carthage Dermech) or on foot.