The Roman Amphitheater at El Djem
On April 19, 2010 by Liz TagamiIn the 2nd century El Djem or El Jem was the prosperous Roman city of Thysdrus, an important center of olive oil production for export and junction of lucrative trade routes. By the 3rd century it was considered the second city of Roman North Africa after Carthage.
Today, El Djem is most famous for its large Roman amphitheater, the third largest after the Colosseum in Rome and the amphitheater in Capua. It’s capable of seating 35,000 spectators, and seeing its nearly 500 foot length rise 115 feet above the surrounding landscape is breathtaking.
El Djem from the air (Photo: Vanderbilt University)
Historians tell us that it remained mostly whole until the 17th century at which time stones were removed to help build the Great Mosque at Kairouan and even some local buildings in the village nearby.
In 1695 a large section of wall was lost then the Ottomans fired a cannon to uncover hiding dissidents, and nearly 300 years later in 1979 the ruins were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2000 parts of it were featured in the Ridley Scott film, Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe.
Entrance to the Amphitheater at El Djem View 1 (Photo: Tagami)
Amphitheater at El Djem where cannon fire destroyed one side. View 2 (Photo: Tagami)
Modest market stalls line the ring road surrounding this monument which stands as a memory to the glory that was Rome. Here are a few photo vignettes which capture everyday life in what today is a somewhat remote outpost from Tunis — three hours away by train, or from Sfax, which is one hour away.
Souvenir coins in El Djem (Photo: Tagami)
El Djem resident shopping. (Photo: Tagami)
Painted Doors in El Djem (Photo: Tagami)
Invitation to refreshment at local cafe. (Photo: Tagami)
Somebody's dinner waits for ride home. (Photo: Tagami)
Tagami at El Djem (Photo: Steve Newton)
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Another great post. Glad you got the pics OK.
Absolutely delightful storytelling – again. Can’t wait to read about your adventures in Barcelona and the Chianti Rufina countryside!
Steve: thank you for taking that picture of Liz!
Your writing and photography are impeccable as always. Thank you for the gift of these posts. I hope to get to Northern Africa in the next 2-3 years and have been further motivated by your travels. All the best, my friend!
I would like to see that. I have been to Rome and seen the Colosseum and the amphitheatre at Pula in Croatia is also very impressive.