CAP BON – korbous, haouaria, kelibia

Natural sites of Korbous and el Haouaria…

The town of Korbous is a Tunisian spa resort located in Cap Bon To get there, we depart at 07:30 from your hotel in Hammamet or Tunis. In Roman times the site was frequented by boat by the inhabitants of Carthage. It fell into oblivion after the Arab conquest before Ahmed er bey gave it a new impetus in the 20th century. The place is known for its hot springs. These sulphurous waters are reputed to treat rheumatism and arthritis.

El Haouaria is located at the northeast end of Cap Bon, at the entrance to the Gulf of Tunis. Its geographical location makes it a favorite refuge for a multitude of migratory birds. Every spring thousands of raptors and other birds stop at the tip of the cape before crossing the Mediterranean Sea. The Romans also nicknamed the place Aquilaria or « country of the eagle ». It is quite naturally that the families of El Haouaria develop an art of falconry which is celebrated each year during the hawk festival.
Lunch in Kerkouane and visit of the archaeological site.

to the Punic city of Kerkouane and the citadel of Kelibia

The Kerkouane site is located on the eastern coast of the Cap Bon peninsula. It shelters a city and a Punic necropolis registered on the list of the world heritage of UNESCO since 1986. They are the only examples of Punic architecture not to have undergone modifications on behalf of posterior civilizations. The Libyan populations certainly occupied the area before the arrival of the Phoenicians. The city is probably
developed from the 6th century BC until around the middle of the 3rd century BC. It very probably disappeared following the destructive expedition of the Sicilian tyrant Agathocles of Syracuse, followed some fifty years later, of a second expedition led by Marcus Atilius Regulus, consul of the Roman republic.

Kelibia was founded during the invasion of North Africa by Agathocles of Syracuse. Kept by the Carthaginians from the latter, the city was taken by Marcus Atilius Regulus during the First Punic War. The city will then be transformed into a Roman colony by Julius Caesar, before becoming a free city. Remains of Roman fortifications are visible in the enclosure of the citadel raised at the top of the hill which overhangs the port.