The Limestone Quarries of El Haouaria

In the heart of north-eastern Tunisia, nestled on the Cap Bon Peninsula, lies the town of El Haouaria. Its origins date back to ancient Greek texts, detailing its significance as one of the oldest maritime ports.

Three kilometers west of the city are the Caves of El Haouaria, artificial quarries probably dug by prisoners or slaves under the authority of the Carthaginians and later the Romans. Coral sandy limestone was mined from these sites by surface and subsequently underground mining.

The stone blocks extracted from these quarries were transported by sea to Carthage, across the Gulf of Tunis. They were used to build the Punic city, as well as the construction of the forts in the Medina of Tunis.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons