Things to see and do El Jem

It is the largest Roman building in the country, registered on the Unesco World Heritage list: a must-see site! The amphitheater of El Jem is an exceptional testimony of the Roman architecture, in particular that of the monuments built for show purposes, in Africa. This amphitheater, built entirely of stone, is neither dug nor leaning against a hill. It is based on the model of the Colosseum in Rome, but it is not a simple copy of the Flavian building. Its dimensions (large axis of 148 m and small axis of 122 m) and its capacity (estimated at 35 000 spectators) classify it unquestionably among the largest amphitheatres of the world. Its facade has three floors of arcades in Corinthian or composite style. Inside, the monument has retained most of the infrastructure supporting the stands. The podium wall, the arena and the underground passages are practically intact. This architectural and artistic work, erected around 238 AD, is an important milestone in the understanding of the history of Roman Africa. The amphitheater of El Jem also testifies to the prosperity of the small city of Thysdrus (the present El Jem) during the Roman Empire.

Street vendors are numerous on the spot. Once in the amphitheater, you can take a tour with a guide or just walk around. You will be asked for an extra dinar to take pictures. At the exit (which is also the entrance), a small souvenir store.

The museum has superb mosaics, from neighboring sites: the first two versions of the Colosseum (two smaller amphitheaters) on the road to Sfax, still visible, have provided many mosaics presenting the shows of the circus. All the more interesting that one has the feeling to be able to compare the draft and the final version, rare fact in these architectural proportions. About thirty Roman villas, brought to light behind the site of the museum, brought testimonies of the prosperity of the merchants of the ancient Thysdrus.