About three hours south of Tunis near the modern town of El Djem, this vast Roman arena is one of North Africa’s most extraordinary monuments. Built around 230–238 CE, it could hold an estimated 35,000 spectators—rivaling Rome’s Colosseum in scale and ambition, and was located in the prosperous Roman city of Thysdrus, enriched by trade and olive oil production and part of the Roman province of Africa Proconsularis, which included present-day Tunisia and was one of the empire’s most important and fertile territories. Remarkably well preserved, the amphitheater preserves its towering outer walls, tiered seating, and underground corridors where gladiators and animals once awaited combat.
Read more in my post The Tug of Tunisia, and 14 of its Top Destinations.
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