Sights and Culture in Sousse

Make the most of your stay and delve into the vast history of the region. Visit the Archaeological Museum and the Catacombs to discover the Punic and Roman remains of the city. In addition to being one of Tunisia's major resort cities, Sousse is also a great place for archaeology fans to stay. Formerly known as Hadrumetum, Sousse boasts an archaeology museum and catacombs from the Roman era. The museum houses an interesting collection of mosaics and funerary furnishings from the Punic and Roman eras. The catacombs were dug by Christians to bury their dead in dire times of Roman persecution. Over 5 kilometres of galleries were dug, housing over 15,000 graves.

Discover thisincredible city which all Tunisians are proud of for its spirituality and its holiness. Lying just one hour away from Sousse, Kairouan is Tunisia's spiritual capital. It is considered as the fourth holiest city in Islam after Mecca, Al Madina and Al Quds (Jerusalem). Kairouan was elected Islamic Cultural Capital of the World for 2009. Under the rule of the Aghlabids, Kairouan was embellished and turned into a real city. It was modern, with a university as the centre of education in which both Islamic thought and secular sciences were taught. Many landmarks and monuments remain from this Golden Age. The Great Mosque of Uqba is certainly the most famous of all. Due to its fortress-like outer walls, it is somewhat different from modern mosques. Other places to visit are the Sidi Sahab Mausoleum, housing the tomb of one of Prophet Muhammad's companions, as well as the Aghlabid basins. These delivered water to the city. Whoever visits Kairouan should also bear in mind that it is also a major carpet production centre and probably the place to look for and find the rare piece of work that could fit perfectly in the living room.