The Travelling Celts

The ruins of Carthage

by Michael Cameron

Carthage, a seaside suburb of Tunisia’s capital, Tunis, is known for its ancient archaeological sites. Founded by the Phoenicians in the first millennium B.C., it was once the seat of the powerful Carthaginian (Punic) Empire, which fell to Rome in the 2nd century B.C. Today it retains a scattered collection of ancient baths, theaters, villas and other ruins, many with sweeping views of the Gulf of Tunis.

When Denise booked a holiday to Tunisia, I couldn't have been happier. Ever since learning about the punic wars, and especially the exploits of Hanibal, I had dreamed of visiting Carthage. Of course its just a ruin, and even that is a ruin of the Roman Carthage - the Romans having completely destroyed the original city - but it was in the locale and that to me was enough.

The photographs don't do the place justice, yes it was a ruin, but some of the carvings were exquisite, and the stone sparkled in the sunlight. The place itself was quite deserted, so calming and peaceful and thus pleasant to walk around.

We let a tour guide take us to Carthage, but were brave enough to go to Tunis on our own a few days later, taking the local bus from our Hotel in Hammamet.

Click the links below for the Carthage photos and/or videos