Punic Town of Kerkuane and its Necropolis
Location: North East Tunisia
Year of Inscription: 1985
Criteria: (iii) bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared;
Overview: The Punic Town of Kerkuane is an ancient city located on the northeastern coast of Tunisia. It was founded by the Phoenicians in the 6th century BC and was abandoned in the 3rd century BC. The site was rediscovered in 1948 and is now recognized as one of the best-preserved examples of a Punic city in the Mediterranean. The town features a unique urban layout, with streets and buildings arranged in a grid pattern. The site also includes a necropolis with over 200 tombs.
Prominent Features: Some of the most notable features of the Punic Town of Kerkuane include:
City Walls: The town is surrounded by a set of walls that are up to 3 meters thick and 8 meters high. The walls were built using a technique known as "cyclopean masonry," which involves using large irregular stones without any mortar.
Houses and Public Buildings: The town includes a number of well-preserved houses and public buildings, including a marketplace, a temple, and a residential area.
Necropolis: The necropolis contains over 200 tombs, many of which are decorated with carvings and inscriptions.
History: The Punic Town of Kerkuane was founded by the Phoenicians in the 6th century BC and was abandoned in the 3rd century BC, likely due to the Roman conquest of the region. The site was rediscovered in 1948 by a team of French archaeologists and has since been extensively excavated and studied.
Family-Friendly Activities: Families can explore the well-preserved ruins of the city and learn about Punic history and culture.
Fun Fact: The Punic Town of Kerkuane is sometimes referred to as the "Tunisian Pompeii" due to its well-preserved ruins.
Entry Fees: The entry fee for the Punic Town of Kerkuane and its Necropolis is 10 Tunisian dinars (about 3.5 USD) for foreign visitors and 2 Tunisian dinars (about 0.7 USD) for Tunisian visitors.
How to Reach It: By Car: The Punic Town of Kerkuane is located approximately 124 km from Tunis, and can be reached by car in about an hour.
By Public Transport: There is limited public transport to the site, but visitors can take a louage (shared taxi) from Tunis to Kelibia, and then take a taxi or walk to the site.
Where to Stay: There are several accommodation options in Kelibia and the surrounding area, including hotels and guesthouses. Some popular options include the Hotel La Voile Bleue, the Dar Marsa Cubes, and the Residence Alithia.
Next Stop: Medina of Sousse
Year of Inscription: 1985
Criteria: (iii) bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared;
Overview: The Punic Town of Kerkuane is an ancient city located on the northeastern coast of Tunisia. It was founded by the Phoenicians in the 6th century BC and was abandoned in the 3rd century BC. The site was rediscovered in 1948 and is now recognized as one of the best-preserved examples of a Punic city in the Mediterranean. The town features a unique urban layout, with streets and buildings arranged in a grid pattern. The site also includes a necropolis with over 200 tombs.
Prominent Features: Some of the most notable features of the Punic Town of Kerkuane include:
City Walls: The town is surrounded by a set of walls that are up to 3 meters thick and 8 meters high. The walls were built using a technique known as "cyclopean masonry," which involves using large irregular stones without any mortar.
Houses and Public Buildings: The town includes a number of well-preserved houses and public buildings, including a marketplace, a temple, and a residential area.
Necropolis: The necropolis contains over 200 tombs, many of which are decorated with carvings and inscriptions.
History: The Punic Town of Kerkuane was founded by the Phoenicians in the 6th century BC and was abandoned in the 3rd century BC, likely due to the Roman conquest of the region. The site was rediscovered in 1948 by a team of French archaeologists and has since been extensively excavated and studied.
Family-Friendly Activities: Families can explore the well-preserved ruins of the city and learn about Punic history and culture.
Fun Fact: The Punic Town of Kerkuane is sometimes referred to as the "Tunisian Pompeii" due to its well-preserved ruins.
Entry Fees: The entry fee for the Punic Town of Kerkuane and its Necropolis is 10 Tunisian dinars (about 3.5 USD) for foreign visitors and 2 Tunisian dinars (about 0.7 USD) for Tunisian visitors.
How to Reach It: By Car: The Punic Town of Kerkuane is located approximately 124 km from Tunis, and can be reached by car in about an hour.
By Public Transport: There is limited public transport to the site, but visitors can take a louage (shared taxi) from Tunis to Kelibia, and then take a taxi or walk to the site.
Where to Stay: There are several accommodation options in Kelibia and the surrounding area, including hotels and guesthouses. Some popular options include the Hotel La Voile Bleue, the Dar Marsa Cubes, and the Residence Alithia.
Next Stop: Medina of Sousse