ROMAN CAVES

A landmark for the whole Al-Haouaria, the stunning Roman Caves (Ghar el-Kebir) is the site for the ancient Roman quarries. It is located along the coast, around 3km northwest of the town. This dramatic stretch of rocky coast, which covers almost lkm along the coast, has 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. Stones were particularly used to build the Colosseum in Rome and the stadium at EI-Jem. The site was found unspoiled to the extent that there are still blocks of stone lying where the miners left them. After stones were cut, they were transferred out through the caves then ca...Read More