Travel Guide El Haouaria

Located at 25 km from Kelibia and 60 km from Korbous, it is the closest city to Europe. In good weather, from the top of the Jebel Abiod (393 m), you can see Sicily. At the northern tip of Cape Bon, this fishermen's town lives to the rhythm of its crops and the comings and goings of its boats. Industry is not absent, and the gas pipeline that connects Algeria to Italy and transports the precious raw material passes near a compression station. The white sandy beaches are replaced here by a rocky coast. At 2 km from the city, caves on the side of the cliff are the last traces of the limestone quarries of Ghar el Kebir. It is with these stones, carried by boat, that the Phoenicians built the first Carthage. Of average quality, this limestone is not worked well, which would explain the lack of refinement of the primitive Carthaginian decorations. It is also found on many monuments of Cape Bon, in particular Punic tombs of the sixth century BC. El Haouaria is also a refuge for many migratory birds, thanks to its geographical location, its relief and its climate. Every spring, 40,000 birds of prey of 24 species, as well as thousands of storks and other birds, stop at the cape before crossing the Mediterranean. El Haouaria cultivates a falconry tradition that manifests itself particularly during the festival of the Sparrowhawk, in early June. It is indeed at this time of the year that the falcons, captured with nets or baits in spring, become operational for hunting, after several months of training. They are kept all summer long to hunt quails, hares or partridges, and are then returned to the rocks to spend the winter and reproduce. The falconry reputation of the city is alive and well and is recalled by many signs. El Haouaria was also known for its unique and prosperous tuna fishing, which is encircled in a large tank and then killed, but is no longer practiced today. The city of El Haouaria is finally an excellent starting point to discover the coast, superb, with in particular the small island of Zembra, a rock of a height of 432 meters, and Zembretta, smaller. Zembra and Zembretta are home to a natural park full of birds and mammals. While driving away from the center of El Haouaria, don't miss the imposing olive tree of Echraf