L’Acropolium

Carthage


The architect of this now deconsecrated 19th-century French-built cathedral employed an unorthodox mix of Moorish, Byzantine and Gothic architectural styles in its design, and the result sits somewhat uncomfortably atop symbolically loaded Byrsa Hill. The interior has been restored and is now used for exhibitions and concerts (hence the name change); it's not really worth paying the inflated fee to visit at other times.

The cathedral was dedicated to the 13th-century French saint-king Louis, who died on the beach at Carthage in 1270 during the ill-fated Eighth Crusade (he was hoping to convert the Hafsid ruler; instead his troops wilted in the heat).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Carthage attractions

1. Byrsa Hill

0.06 MILES

In Punic times, Byrsa Hill was occupied by a temple to the Carthaginian god Eschmoun. The Romans destroyed most of the Punic structures – all that remains…

2. Carthage Museum

0.07 MILES

Sitting on the crest of Byrsa Hill and housed in an early-20th-century building that once functioned as a Catholic seminary, this museum is one of the…

3. Roman Villas

0.42 MILES

A visit to this former residential enclave gives a real sense of refined ancient Roman life in Carthage. The reconstructed Villa of the Aviary is the…

4. Roman Theatre

0.43 MILES

This Roman-era theatre has been almost totally – and very unsympathetically – reconstructed, so unfortunately it's one of Carthage's most disappointing…

5. La Malga Cisterns

0.47 MILES

The restored and extremely impressive remnants of the huge 2nd-century-AD cisterns that housed Roman Carthage’s water supply are located at the foot of…

6. Magon Quarter

0.48 MILES

This area along Rue Septime Sévère is a few blocks south of the Antonine Baths. Excavations have uncovered a small area of Roman workshops superimposed on…

7. Roman Amphitheatre

0.49 MILES

This Roman-era amphitheatre was once one of the largest in the Roman Empire, with a capacity of 36,000. Today, only the overgrown oval of the stage…

8. Galerie d'Art Essaadi

0.55 MILES

Owned and operated by photographer Mohamed Ali Essaadi, this space stages individual and group shows by young and emerging artists.