I envie escapade I wishlist getaway I رغباتنا مغامرة
1- Bateau de pêche au large de Kerkennah I Bateau de pêche au large de Kerkennah Fishing boat off Kerkennah I مركب صيد قبالة جزيرة قرقنة 2 - Coucher de soleil I Coucher de soleil Sunset I مشهد لغروب الشمس
Kerkennah : A microcosm of Mediterranean life
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Lying just 17.9 kilometers from Sidi Mansour , near Sfax , the Kerkennah archipelago stretches majestically across the Mediterranean . Here , time seems suspended , and nature reigns supreme . Past and present meet , generations mingle here , and the Mediterranean Sea still shapes the island ’ s identity .
Kerkennah : an age-old Mediterranean crossroads The Kerkennah archipelago represents a living chapter in the history of ancient civilizations . Between 1200 and 600 BC , these peaceful islands were an important trading post for the Phoenicians . The Phoenicians established « Kyrakyn » here , contributing to the development of the legendary Carthage and integrating Kerkennah into an extensive network of maritime trade routes . The legacy of this Phoenician period is a captivating underwater heritage . The foundations of the ancient city , located at the foot of Borj El Hissar , are today an opportunity for divers to admire sunken structures , vestiges of a bygone era . These underwater ruins combine with archaeological discoveries on the islands of Mellita and Chergui , where Carthaginian burials , wells , and cisterns dating back over 2,200 years illustrate continuous occupation and adaptation .
On the islands of Gremdi and Erramadia , traces of Carthaginian civilization are still visible , and have recently been brought to light by archaeological surveys . Ceramic fragments and the ruins of a 500-metre-long wall bear witness to Carthaginian construction knowhow . These structures are evidence of the enduring presence of the Carthaginians , who , as experts in hydraulics , built wells and cisterns on the archipelago to overcome the constraints of freshwater in this island environment . The cisterns on the island of Chergui are still there , reflecting this civilization ’ s ingenuity and technological advance . The people of Kerkennah inherited this maritime tradition , playing a significant role in the naval forces of successive empires . They ventured out to sea on memorable expeditions , notably to Sicily , and were essential to the military and commercial strategies of the Aghlabids and Zirids . Their expertise was also called upon for major projects , such as the founding of the city of Cairo by Jawhar Assikili .
For centuries , Kerkennah has been a key strategic asset , attracting the attention of powers like Sicily and Spain after 1212 . From the Normans to the Catalans , and then the Hafsids , all tried to control this valuable archipelago . Even the Ottomans recognized its importance , building fortifications such as the majestic Borj El Hissar to protect the islands from Italian and Spanish invasions . Later , in the modern era , Kerkennah preserved its authenticity and tranquility , gradually coming under Turkish rule and then French protectorate , before blossoming into an independent Tunisia . Today , the islands continue to celebrate their past , with archaeological sites offering tangible glimpses of successive eras , allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the stories and landscapes that make Kerkennah a unique place of discovery and contemplation .
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