Lake of Tunis

The Lake of Tunis is a shallow lagoon between the capital and the Mediterranean Sea, covering around 37 square kilometers. A modern expressway built atop an ancient Roman dam connects Tunis to harbors and coastal cities including Carthage.

Roman engineers built a significant dam structure to control the fertile regions near Carthage during ancient times. This construction later formed the foundation for the modern infrastructure that still crosses the area today.

The Spanish stronghold on Chikly Island in the north shows centuries of maritime connections to Mediterranean trade routes. Visitors can still see traces of these influences in the structures that stand out against the water.

The area is best explored from surrounding roads and viewpoints along the modern expressway, which offers clear views of the water. The flat landscape makes it easy to observe different parts of the lake from various vantage points.

The lake bed continues to rise through natural sediment buildup, gradually changing the landscape and requiring ongoing adjustments to shore development. This makes it a place where visitors can observe how natural processes reshape human infrastructure over time.