Travel Guide Djemila - Cuicul

Founded by Emperor Nerva, on the site of the Numidian Cuicul, Djemila «the beautiful» is one of the most interesting and beautiful ancient sites of Algeria. Located about 1 hours drive from Sétif, it's really an amazing part of the region!On the north-east of Sétif on the edge of the Ferdjioua Mountains, the city was built according to a plan adapted to the Timgad plan, rigorous and ideal. This exceptional site is reached by road from Constantine to Sétif, bifurcation north at the height of El Eulma or by the road of Mila.In a hilly mountain, between 1 100 and 1 200 m above sea level, Djemila is built on a sunny slope that gently descends to Guergour and Betane wadis. The region benefited from significant agricultural resources, of which Rome benefited greatly and which guaranteed the city the prosperity of a real granary. It planted fruit trees, in addition to cereals, and cattle as well as horses destined for the Roman armies.Municipe, the city quickly expanded to spill from its fortified enclosure. The southern rampart was demolished under Caracalla to allow a New forum. In the fourth century, great works were launched and the Christian community, liberated by the edicts of Constantine, built on the south hill a church, baptistery and dwellings intended for the bishop and priests.After a few years of unrest caused by the revolts of the donatistes and then the circoncellions and the arrival of the Vandals, Cuicul was recaptured by the Byzantine in the middle of the century before seeing the Arabs arrive in the th century giving him his current name.