After the reopening of the Bardo Museum in 2023, it’s now the turn of the National Museum of Carthage to undergo renovations. A peek behind the scenes of this exciting project!
In the stunning bay of Tunis, where legend has it that Dido founded Carthage, stands the museum of the same name. It is Tunisia’s oldest museum, established in 1875, serving as a witness to the significant archaeological discoveries made on the site of Carthage. It thus revisits the tumultuous history of this city, which was the center of a rich civilization. But the museum had aged, needing a fresh coat of paint.
Before the renovations, the museum welcomed 500,000 visitors annually. Out of its 100,000 pieces, only 1,000 will be displayed. The choices are tough. These renovations also provide an opportunity for extensive excavations, led by Tunisian archaeologist Khansa Hannachi. « I love digging, » she says, « we always discover treasures, not just silver or gold, but the history of our ancestors. »
Before the renovations, the Carthage Museum attracted 500,000 visitors annually, a number that Tunisian authorities hope to increase with these ambitious renovations. Walid Khalfalli, a curator at the Ministry of Culture, explains: « We want to boost cultural tourism in the country. Establishing a museum that honors Carthage’s history will diversify our tourism. The idea is to attract lovers of culture and the Mediterranean. »
