The City of Hawarya

The city of Hawarya lies at the northeastern tip of Cap Bon, at the entrance to the Gulf of Tunis. It belongs to the governorate of Nabeul and serves as the center of a delegation. The municipality had 9,273 inhabitants in 2004.

The caves of El Hawarya are ancient quarries. Their exploitation began no later than the 7th century BC. Sandstone from these quarries helped build Punic and Roman Carthage monuments. The quarrying method was quite original and rare. Workers extracted stone from inside the mass. They brought it to the surface through square climbing shafts. Ancient sources mention these quarries. The geographer Strabo and Diodorus of Sicily (1st century BC) both described them.

The Caves : History and Natural Beauty

The Roman caves of Ghar and Kebir date from the Punic and Roman eras. They served as sandstone quarries, providing stones for Carthage and many other sites. For over a thousand years, slaves extracted and cut blocks there. These stones later appeared at the Coliseum of El Jem and in mosques.

The monument consists of a succession of rooms. A narrow opening hollows out these excavations, sinking deep into the deposit. This creates a pyramidal-shaped space. On the surface, at the top of the promontory, traces of aerial exploitation remain visible.

The site’s geographical location, relief, and mild climate make it a refuge for migratory birds. The Romans nicknamed it Aquilaria, or “Land of the Eagle.” Every spring, 40,000 raptors of 24 species stop here. Moreover, thousands of storks and other smaller birds also pause before crossing the Mediterranean. Consequently, local families have developed the Art of Falconry. Certain mosaics at the Bardo Museum testify to this ancient tradition.

The openings of yesteryear no longer exist today. The Americans bombarded the site during World War II because the German army used it as a refuge. Since then, many side openings have been made and secured for underground access. Unfortunately, the site’s full security has taken a long time. These caves represent a historical potential for boosting regional cultural tourism. Nevertheless, visitors can still enjoy the superb region of El Hawarya.