Roman Ruins and Desert Horizons: Tunisia Unveiled

Tunisia has some of the finest and best-preserved Roman cities in the world. Many retain the romance of ruins in the countryside, unnoticed and unspoiled by mass tourism. Starting with Carthage and the early Punic colonies, we travel south through ruined towns of the high Roman Empire, where impressive public monuments and houses decorated with brightly coloured mosaics bear witness to the wealth once enjoyed here. We also see the highlights of Islamic culture in Kairouan before continuing to the landscapes of the salt chotts, palm oases and dunes of the south where some remarkable architecture shows how people adapted to conditions at the edge of the desert.

Join Andante on tour in Tunisia – North and South to journey from Carthage to the edge of the Sahara. Discover the treasure trove of Roman mosaics remarkable for their intricate beauty of their figural and floral design.

“As good as any of our past Andante experiences. Guide Lecturer, Tour Manager/lecturer, Local Guide and Driver were all of the highest standard. They ceaselessly gave of their best and took care of us all, entertained, shared their knowledge and nothing was too much for them.”

Carthage

“Delenda est Carthago,” cried Cato, the Elder to the Senate of Rome – “Carthage must be destroyed!” This phrase emphasised the Roman determination to eliminate Carthage as a rival power. The two cities clashed in a series of conflicts known as the Punic Wars, the most famous of these conflicts was the Second Punic War, where the Carthaginian general Hannibal famously crossed the Alps with his war elephants to invade Italy.

Ultimately, Rome emerged victorious, leading to the destruction of Carthage in 146 BC. Despite its fall, Carthage’s legacy lived on, influencing Roman culture and later becoming an important centre in the Roman Empire. Today, the ruins of Carthage are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Byrsa Hill site in Carthage is a historically significant location. It served as the citadel of ancient Carthage, offering a strategic vantage point over the surrounding area. This site is renowned for its archaeological importance, providing insights into the Punic and Roman periods of the city’s history. Visitors to Byrsa Hill can explore the remnants of ancient fortifications, residential areas and public buildings, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts.

The Antonine Baths are among the largest Roman bath complexes in Africa. The complex features various rooms, including the frigidarium (cold room), tepidarium (warm room), and caldarium (hot room), each designed to provide a unique bathing experience. The grandeur of the architecture, with its impressive columns and intricate mosaics, highlights the advanced engineering skills of the Romans.

Oudna & Thuburbo Majus

Oudna and Thuburbo Majus are two of Tunisia’s most intriguing archaeological sites. Oudna, once known as Uthina, was a prominent Roman city and today boasts well-preserved ruins, including an impressive amphitheatre, a capitol and luxurious Roman villas. The site offers a glimpse into the grandeur of Roman architecture and urban planning.

Thuburbo Majus is another ancient Roman city renowned for its monumental ruins. Located approximately 60 kilometres southwest of Tunis, Thuburbo Majus was a thriving agricultural and trading centre. Visitors can marvel at the remains of the Capitol, the Forum, the Temple of Mercury and the sprawling bath complex. The intricate mosaics and architectural details provide a vivid picture of life in Roman North Africa.

This tour not only delves into the historical significance of these sites but also offers an opportunity to appreciate the scenic landscapes of the Tunisian countryside. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply looking to experience the rich cultural heritage of Tunisia, the journey from Oudna to Thuburbo Majus promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Bulla Regia

Located in northwestern Tunisia, the ancient city of Bulla Regia provides a fascinating insight into Roman urban planning along with many treasures to uncover. This rare site contains complete, superbly preserved, subterranean Roman houses, designed to keep the inhabitants cool in the heat of the summer, along with an amphitheatre, baths and temples. Most of the intricate mosaics remain in situ and therefore can be viewed in their original context. In antiquity, the city acquired a notorious reputation and in the 4^th century, St. Augustine preached a famous sermon here, berating the citizens for their loose and immoral ways.

Tozeur

Although most of the archaeological remains are situated in the fertile regions of the north, the Romans did not leave the south unexplored. There are records of military expeditions into the Sahara Desert and a series of fortlets, outposts and towers have been identified to form a frontier intended to control the transhumant movements and trade of desert tribes.

Gafsa is a large oasis town and industrial centre for the phosphates collected from the Chotts of El Jarid. It was once a Numidian town later occupied by the Romans (ancient name Capsa) and guarded the whole of this region until the Arab troops of Okba-Ibn-Naffa seized it in 668. See here one of the remaining ‘Roman pools’, a deep open-air basin fed by hot water springs and visit the small museum opposite.

El Djem

El Djem is renowned for its impressive Roman amphitheatre, the sixth largest in the world. It had three tiers of seats, to accommodate 30,000 spectators, with further standing room. The huge structure reflects the great wealth of the region, which was founded on its extensive olive groves. It was likely built as a symbol of Rome’s strength, at a time when troubles were besetting the Empire. Afterwards, we visit the museum which houses some of the most impressive mosaics in Tunisia and outside in the museum gardens, the foundations of some large Roman townhouses some with mosaics still in situ.

Sousse

This vibrant city of Sousse is a busy tourist destination but once was an early trading post on the route from Tyre to the West. Often referred to as the “Pearl of the Sahel,” Sousse boasts a medina that is a UNESCO World Heritage site, filled with narrow winding streets and historical landmarks. It was the port used by Hannibal in his campaign against Scipio at the end of the Second Punic War and also by Caesar in 47 BC. The Museum is housed in part of the Kasbah, or high citadel, and the displays include an exceptionally fine series of mosaics from Sousse and the surrounding region. Many are arranged on the floors and walls of the patio and in a group of rooms beyond the garden. We continue to the coast and our overnight hotel near Hammamet.