Carthage, an ancient city in Tunisia, lies on the eastern side of Lake Tunis. It has rich history which states that it was of great strategic importance for the Phoenicians, Punics and Romans. The wonders of these civilizations can be well seen on visiting the Roman amphitheater, the Baths, cisterns, cathedrals, museums and many more. The unique planned architecture of the city speaks about the prosperity of Carthage.

Amphitheater
The Roman Amphitheater in Carthage dates back to the 2nd century and is located 1 km northwest of the Byrsa Hill. The five-story Roman Amphitheater which stood opposite to the La Malga cisterns had seating capacity of 50, 000 people. The theater used to be filled to watch the performances of naumachias. The remains of the amphitheater left to see include it foundations and some underground rooms.

Archaeological Park

Baths of Antoninus Pius
The Baths of Antoninus Pius in Carthage is one of the most important Roman remains and the largest baths to have existed in the Roman Empire in an area of 4.5 acres. The Baths were built in between 145 and 165 AD, during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius. The Baths of Antoninus features Frigidarium, Caldarium, Tepidarium, Destrictarium, Laconium and Palaestra. The ground-floor featured separate restrooms for men and women, heating and water supply systems. The upper floor had proper baths with a grand staircase that led to the sea. There was also sunbathing terrace on the seaward side of the baths and on the leeward side were two semi-circular public lavatories.

Baths of Gargilius
If you move to the north of Byrsa Hill, you can find the remains of the baths of Gargilius in Carthage. In 411, it was probably a meeting place for the Carthaginian Council.

Byrsa Hill
Once the base of Punic settlement, Byrsa Hill in Carthage is located close to the TGM station Carthage-Hannibal and features at present the Cathedral of St. Louis. From the top of the Byrsa Hill, you can get the view of Carthage city, the Punic Harbor, La Goulette, Tunis, Djebel Bou Kornine and the Mediterranean.

Cathedral of St. Louis
The Cathedral of St. Louis in Carthage which stands over the hill was built in 1890s. The Moorish styled Cathedral is dedicated to the King Louix IX of France who died here during the siege of Tunis. Being one of the largest churches in North Africa, it was also the seat of the Archbishop of Carthage and Primate of Africa. It also became the monastery of the Pères Blancs who aimed in re-conquering North Africa for Christianity. The Cathedral of St. Louis now functions as the National Archaeological Museum and has become the state property since 1964.

Circus
Circus in Carthage lies to the south of the Odeon. At present, it can be identified by long depression in the ground.

Cisterns
La Malga cisterns found in Carthage were built by the Romans to store water which was supplied by an aqueduct from the Zaghouan hills. The cisterns measure 95m long, 12.5m wide and 11.5m high. Originally there were 24 cisterns of which 15 are left. You can locate them on the opposite side of the street which leads from the amphitheater.

Damous el Karita
Damous el Karita in Carthage is an early Christian church in Tunisia which is located on the western side of the main road to Sidi Bou Said. The old nine-aisled basilica is left with broken columns and pillars. Alongside to the basilica is a cemetery of the Pères Blancs. You can also take a look of the basilica of St. Cyprian and the convent of St. Monica which lie on the eastern side of the road.

Hill of Juno
Hill of Juno in Carthage is to the north of Byrsa Hill and features a Carmelite convent. There also stands twin column on the north-western side of the Hill.

National Archaeological Museum/ Musée National de Carthage
The National Archaeological Museum in Carthage which is also known as the Musée National de Carthage has an impressive collection of Punic and Early Christian relics. At the museum which is still in progression, you can see the models of Tophet, Carthage during time of Punic and the Capitol built by the Romans, jewelry, ornaments sarcophagi, stelae, and many other objects found during the excavations. You can also stroll in the museum gardens which also features some historic remains and marble statue of Louis IX.

Oceanographic Museum
The Oceanographic Museum in Carthage is a small museum dedicated to marine life. It is located between the two harbors in Carthage and displays specimens of Mediterranean fishes, sea-water aquarium, sea-shell collections, Tunisian birds and fishing boats.

Odeon
You can find just the platform remains of the Odeon in Carthage which is located on the summit of the hill. The small covered hall was constructed in 207 A.D.

Punic Carthage
The main remains of Punic Carthage rest on the Byrsa Hill and also in the district of Carthage-Salammbo. Some of the worth-seeing Punic Carthage sites are the Quartier Punique, the Tophet, the Punic Harbor which is also known Kothon and Quartier Magon. You can also visit the National Museum to look for some Punic objects and artifacts.

Punic Harbor/ Kothon
Kothon or the Punic harbor in Carthage was rectangular in shape with two basins which was house to the most powerful Mediterranean fleet. The harbor was connected to the sea by a channel which was constructed during the Third Punic War. The center of the harbor featured an island where stood the palace of the fleet commander. The naval harbor which was on the northern side was enclosed by a high wall of diameter 325m. It stationed around 220 ships, on the leeward as well as close to the island.

Punic Quarte/ Quartier Punique
Punic Quarte also known as the Quartier Punique is located in the southern side of the Museum in Carthage. The Carthage Hill was once the burial ground which later in the 5th century BC was developed into workshop by the Carthaginians. Furthermore, residences were also constructed in this place. With the destruction of Carthage, the settlement in the hill also ended. However, Augustus during his reign from 30BC to 14AD leveled the hill and built a massive forum and the Capitol. At the time of excavations, many Roman remains like the mosaics, altar of Gens Augusta and many were found under the church and the monastery. Other excavation sites in Punic Quarte reveal two-story residences which feature underground cisterns and the upper floor features a fountain that supplies water to the whole house.

Quartier Magon
The excavation site of the Quartier Magon in Carthage throws light on the developed town in the Punic times. Just behind the 5th century BC sea wall, there were residences of the craftsmen and ahead of it were larger houses and luxurious villas. The villas were designed with terrazzo floors. There is a small museum with the models of Punic town and the quarries at El Haouaria.

Roman Villas
Park of the Roman Villas or Parc des Villas Romaines in Carthage lies adjacent to the theater. The site was once a Punic cemetery before becoming the site of well-appointed villas of Romans. Villa des Volières which belongs to the 3rd century has been restored. The restored Roman villa features a small antiquarium and pavements of fine mosaics. The terrace has several fragments of sculpture.

Roman and Early Christian Museum
To the southern end of the Carthage, besides Avenue Habib Bourguiba you can find the Roman and Early Christian Museum. Also known as the Musée Romain et Paléo-Chrétien, it displays items dating from 4th to 7th century AD and also the excavation plans.

Theater
The Roman theater in Carthage which was built in 2nd century A.D. had a seating capacity of 5, 000 people. The theater features an elevated stage with stage wall on the back. The theater is styled in a Vitruvian plan. It is assumed that the stage of the theater was decorated lavishly and had the statues of Apollo and Hercules. The statues were erected on account of the Pythian Games.

Tophet