Welcome to Phoenician Caves, Haouaria

Discover the ancient Punic (Phoenician) quarries—known as the caves of Hawaria—nestled near the coastal town of Haouaria in northeastern Tunisia. These sandstone caves, exploited since the 7th century BC, were used to extract building blocks for historic monuments, including Carthage. Today, they remain an evocative archaeological site.

Historical Context

The Punic caves of Haouaria were quarried under the authority of Carthaginians and later by Romans, notably between the 7th and 6th centuries BC, and into Roman times. The extracted tufa was transported across the Gulf of Tunis to Carthage, demonstrating the region’s integral role in ancient Mediterranean architecture. The caves’ distinctive pyramid‑shaped chambers reflect the uniform mining techniques used.

Landmarks

• Phoenician Caves (Quarries of El Haouaria): Ancient sandstone quarries with pyramid‑like chambers used from Punic through Roman eras (7th–1st century BC).
• Ghar el Kebir: The name given to the grand cave site ~3 km west of Haouaria, offering dramatic cliff and sea views and a history of quarrying under Carthaginian and Roman rule.
• Phare du Cap Bon: A notable lighthouse perched on the Cap Bon promontory near Haouaria, offering scenic views of the Mediterranean coast.

Museums

• Nabeul Museum

  This archaeological museum in Nabeul (within the Cap Bon region) houses a collection of Punic, Berber, Roman artifacts, mosaics, ceramics, and Punic statuettes from Thinissut and Kerkouane.

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  Opening Hours: Not listed; modestly sized and quietly maintained, open to visitors (review October 2025).

  Ticket Price: Typically 5–8 TND for tourists, locals pay less; first Sunday of the month often free.

• Archaeological Museum of Kerkouane

  Located at the Punic city of Kerkouane (UNESCO World Heritage), this museum exhibits Punic stelae, terracotta figurines of deities (Tanit, Ba‘al Hammon), and cultic artifacts excavated on site.

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  Opening Hours: Aligned with Kerkouane archaeological site hours (typically daylight hours; confirm locally).

  Ticket Price: Entry included with site ticket; around 10–12 TND multi‑site ticket by regional standards.

Tips for Visitors

• Visit early in the day, especially in summer, to enjoy cooler temperatures and better lighting in the caves.
• Bring a flashlight—natural light is limited and bats may inhabit deeper recesses of the caves.
• Combine your visit with a trip to Kerkouane and the Nabeul Museum for a comprehensive view of Punic history across Cap Bon.

Sources

• “The caves of Hawaria” – Tunisia Travel Guide (opening hours, fees, site context)(https://tunisia-travel-guide.com/the-caves-of-hawaria/)
• “The Quarries of El Haouaria” – Patrimoine de Tunisie / Funtimes Magazine (historic quarry use, geology)(https://www.patrimoinedetunisie.com.tn/en/monuments/the-quarries-of-el-haouaria/overview/)