El Jem — Kahina's Oath

Your journey begins in front of the El Jem Amphitheater, a monument built around 238 AD. With a capacity of 35,000 spectators, it is the largest coliseum in North Africa, an exceptional site classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Explore its impressive dimensions, an oval of 148 m x 122 m with an original height of 37 m. This place was also a fortress in the Middle Ages, resisting the Vandals in 430 and the Arabs in 647, before Mohamed Bey El Mouradi pierced an opening in 1695 to break the resistance of his opponents.

In the immediate vicinity of the amphitheater, in the village of El Jem, the El Jem Archaeological Museum awaits you. This museum houses sumptuous mosaics and the remains of Roman villas from Thysdrus, ancient El Jem. The museum's collection illustrates the prosperity of Thysdrus under the Roman Empire, a city that was the capital of the Roman province of Africa. These artifacts help you understand the wealth of this city thanks to the olive oil trade in the 2nd century AD.

Your route then takes you through the Rue du Colisée, the main road leading to the El Jem Amphitheater. It is the starting point for visits and a vital artery for the city. As you cross it, you discover the picturesque alleys of El Jem's city center, where the echo of ancient Thysdrus, a resort town for wealthy olive oil merchants, still resonates. The city once had between 30,000 and 43,000 inhabitants.

The Roman Theater of El Jem, though less imposing than the amphitheater, reveals another aspect of life in Thysdrus. This site, like the Roman Forum of El Jem, was essential for the social and political life of the capital of the Roman province of Africa. These remains bear witness to the urban organization and refinement of this prosperous city, whose economy was largely based on the export of olive oil, a trade that made its fortune in the 2nd century AD.

Upon completing your exploration in El Jem, you will have traversed the layers of a rich history, from the Roman Empire to medieval dynasties. From the imposing El Jem Amphitheater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the mosaics of the Archaeological Museum, each stop will have immersed you in the past of Thysdrus. This walking themed circuit will have offered you an interactive visit, a true GPS treasure hunt in the heart of Tunisia's central-eastern heritage, rich in monuments and vestiges, to understand the history of El Jem.