From the busy city to the quiet surroundings , El-Haouaria is a sleepy almost deserted town on the Cape Bon Tunisian Peninsula . The town boasts its impressive and untouched natural beach of
Ras el-Drek
, on its southern section . It is best known for the ancient Roman quarries along its coast , 3km northwest of the town . Known as Ghar el-Kebir or
Roman Caves
. These caves have been designated a national monument by the Tunisian government and date back to the 6th century BC from the Phoenician and Roman times . These sandstone mines were cut into the cliffs when the Romans used the stone in re-building Carthage as Roman city . The site was found unspoiled to the extent that there are still blocks of stone lying where the miners left them . El Haouaria also has much to offer the tourist as it is very renowned for falconry . Annually , the Festival d'Epervier is held here in July for four days featuring falcon shows at the wonderful natural setting of the mountains .
