Amphitheater of El Jem
The amphitheater of El Jem is an impressive Roman monument. It stands in a flat and desert plain in North Africa. Its massive, round silhouette makes it visible from a long distance. The locality around the building has avoided tall buildings. Consequently, this makes the monument even more prominent.
Despite many hardships over time, the amphitheater remains well-preserved. Severe cannonball bombardment at the end of the 17th century caused a large breach. However, the monument has retained most of its supporting infrastructure. This includes the podium wall, the arena, and the underground. These are practically intact.
The amphitheater could hold up to 30,000 spectators. This ranks it as the 7th largest amphitheater in the Roman Empire. The arena measures 65 meters along its long axis. Two large galleries cross it in the basement. These galleries served as passageways for actors, beasts, and machines. They could be confined in two series of eight underground cells.
A Milestone in Roman Africa
Erected around 238 AD, the amphitheater is an important milestone. It testifies to the prosperity of the small city of Thysdrus (now El Jem). This prosperity occurred during the Roman Empire. The monument is one of the most accomplished examples of Roman amphitheater architecture. It is almost on a par with the Colosseum in Rome.
The El Jem Coliseum has also served as a cultural space. For almost two decades, it has hosted the El Jem Symphony Music Festival. It also hosts other artistic events during summer. Its grandeur and unique features attract scholars and tourists alike. Ultimately, the amphitheater of El Jem offers an unforgettable journey into Tunisia’s Roman past.
Amphitheater of El Jem in Video
Where to Find Amphitheater of El Jem
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before visiting
The Amphitheater of El Jem could hold approximately 30,000 spectators, making it the seventh largest Roman amphitheater ever built and the largest in Africa. Its outer wall stands about 36 metres high and its arena measures 65 metres long, rivalling the Colosseum in sheer scale.
Construction is dated to around 238 AD during the reign of the proconsul Gordian I in the ancient city of Thysdrus, which owed its wealth to the olive-oil trade.
The El Jem International Symphonic Music Festival has been held inside the amphitheater for nearly two decades, turning the ancient arena into one of Africa's most atmospheric concert venues every summer.
Yes. Beneath the arena floor lie two large underground corridors flanked by sixteen holding cells where gladiators and wild animals were kept before entering the arena. These galleries are open to visitors and are among the best-preserved of any Roman amphitheater.
Yes. UNESCO inscribed the Amphitheater of El Jem on the World Heritage List in 1979, recognising it as an outstanding example of Roman imperial architecture in North Africa.
El Jem lies on the main Tunis-Sfax railway line, roughly 200 km south of Tunis and 60 km north of Sfax. Direct trains stop at El Jem station, which is a short walk from the amphitheater entrance.
