The ruins of the amphitheater were declared a World Heritage Site in 1979. Then figure out where to stay, find things to see and do (like El DJem Amphitheatre), and research places to eat. Email. (score from 129 reviews) Real guests • Real stays • Real opinions. Until the 17th century, it remained more or less whole. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Drifting sand is preserving the market city of Thysdrus and the refined suburban villas that once surrounded it. Places to see, ways to wander, and signature experiences. Even for travelers in Tunisia who are mainly here for a sun-and-sea holiday, this UNESCO World Heritage Site, halfway between Sousse and Sfax, is a must-do. El Jem El Jem is a small town in the east of Tunisia that holds the remains of a UNESCO World Heritage listed Roman amphitheater. El Jem Amphitheatre (El Djem) in Tunisia, also known as Thysdrus Amphitheatre after the original Roman settlement in this location, stands in the midst of a quiet town. El Jem has about 18,300 residents. From prices and availability to skip-the-line options and mobile tickets, get all the information you need to make the most of your trip to Tunisia. The bed comfortable and the staff are friendly. El Djem or El Jem (Tunisian Arabic:الجمّ, il-Jām) is a town in Mahdia Governorate, Tunisia. The Roman city of Thysdrus was built, like almost all Roman settlements in ancient Tunisia, on former Punic settlements. [citation needed]. El Djem or El Jem (Tunisian Arabic: الجمّ, il-Jamm) is a town in Mahdia Governorate, Tunisia. Hotels near Archaeological Museum of El-Djem, Hotels near Habib Bourguiba Intl Airport (MIR). 8.6 . Welcome to El Jem The ancient ampitheatre at El Jem is a dramatic and impressive sight, both because of its awesome size and solidity in relation to the modern buildings surrounding it, and because, like all ruins, it’s a sober reminder of the inevitable fleetingness of achievement. In a less arid climate than today's, Thysdrus prospered as an important center of olive oil production and export. The Amphitheatre of El Jem bears outstanding witness to Roman architecture, notably monuments built for spectator events, in Africa. It is listed by UNESCO since 1979 as a World Heritage Site. Website +216 71 909 264. Fabulous . It’s at this point when many people question just why such a large amphitheatre was chosen for Tunisia. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. El Jem, in Tunisia, is one of the best examples of Roman architecture in Africa. Amphitheatre of El Jem is the second largest built by the romans after the "original" in Rome. Historical Half day Tour in El Jem (From US$123.49) 1 Day Excursion Kairouan and El Jem from Tunis or Hammamet (From US$168.55) Full-Day Kairouan and El Jem Tour from Tunis (From US$126.57) Tunisia: Sahara Tour : 3 Days - 2 Nights ( Multilingual Guide + Free SIM Card ) (From US$640.00) See all Amphitheatre of El Jem experiences on Tripadvisor The amphitheater of El Jem has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1979 and one of Tunisia’s highlights. Location and Values : The Amphitheatre of El Jem is located in the small town of El Jem in central Tunisia, about 60 km south of Sousse. It is also possible that construction of the amphitheater was never finished. At a tense moment during struggles with the Ottomans, the Turks used cannons to flush rebels out of the amphitheater. Can't-miss spots to dine, drink, and feast. And the city of El Jem is a sleepy place without much character. Nate Robert (Atlas Obscura User) The Amphitheatre of El Jem is one of the largest Roman amphitheaters ever built. This amphitheater, built 150 years after the one in Rome, is the third-largest coliseum left in the world. The amphitheater at El Djem was built by the Romans under proconsul Gordian, who was acclaimed emperor at Thysdrus around 238 and was mainly used for gladiator shows and small-scale chariot races. However, following the abortive revolt that began there in AD 238 and Gordian's suicide in his villa near Carthage, Roman troops loyal to the emperor Maximinus Thrax sacked the city. It is home to some of the most impressive Roman remains in Africa, particularly the world-famous "Amphitheater of El Jem". But the colosseum is great, almost as big as the one of Rome, and in better condition. Rue Taib Mhiri El Jem, Mahdia, 5160 El Jem, Tunisia – Excellent location - show map Excellent location — rated 9.4/10! Find the travel option that best suits you. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Only the Colosseum in Rome (seating about 50,000 spectators) and the ruined theater of Capua were larger. The air-conditioned property is 27 miles from Monastir. 1 Other Attraction within 5 miles. Tunisia's biggest historical tourist attraction is the mammoth, golden-stoned amphitheater of El Djem — once the stage for bloody gladiatorial battles during the Roman era. 129 reviews The rooms and shower were clean. Restaurant Le Bonheur 1 (18) 6 min Route de Sfax, El-Jem 345 Tunisia. El Jem, Tunisia . It was capable of seating 35,000 spectators. Many tourists come here to see what it was like to be inside what was once a place where lions and people met their fate. El Jem is famous all over Tunisia for its spectacular amphitheater, a UNESCO world heritage site, and for the El Jem Museum of Archaeology, home to many wonders.El Jem is home to the third-largest amphitheater left in the world after the one in Rome and the one in Capoue, and it’s also Tunisia’s most significant ruin from the Roman Empire. It was the seat of a Christian bishopric, which is included in the Catholic Church's list of titular sees. It is home to some of the most impressive Roman remains in Africa, particularly the world-famous "Amphitheater of El Jem". more, Create a Trip to save and organize all of your travel ideas, and see them on a map. It hosts the annual El Djem International Symphony Festival. Best nearby. December 1, 2014; Tunisia Travel Guides; Apart from the Roman colosseum, the sights of El Jem are still covered by sand. About El Jem: El Djem or El Jem (Tunisian Arabic: الجمّ) is a town in Mahdia Governorate, Tunisia. El Djem or El Jem (Tunisian Arabic: الجمّ, il-Jamm) is a town in Mahdia Governorate, Tunisia. It is undoubtedly the most impressive Roman monument in Africa, its massive bulk visible for kilometres around, dwarfing the tiny houses of the town around its base. During World War II a major military airfield was located near El Djem, used first by the German Luftwaffe. It is 148 metres long by 122 metres wide, with tiers up to 35 metres. Although it was originally a native community influenced by Carthaginian civilization, Thysdrus probably received Julius Caesar’s veterans as settlers in 45 bce. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in El-Jem, Tunisia on Tripadvisor: See 1,735 traveler reviews and photos of El-Jem tourist attractions. A mix of the charming, modern, and tried and true. Ancient Places TV: HD Video of El Djem amphitheatre, Romanheritage.com site with photos of El Djem amphitheater in Tunisia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=El_Djem&oldid=992280788, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2018, Wikipedia articles with WorldCat-VIAF identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 4 December 2020, at 13:25. Recently with aerial photos, a huge racetrack stadium has been discovered. El-Jem Tourism: Tripadvisor has 1,800 reviews of El-Jem Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best El-Jem resource. There are few, if any, remains of the airfield today with the land being returned to agricultural uses outside of the city. The Roman amphitheater at El Jem. In the world of writing materials, Thysdrus lay in the Empire of Papyrus, which preserves ruins remarkably well if kept as dry as at El Djem. Plan your trip to El Jem. All el jem artwork ships within 48 hours and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. Located in a plain in the centre of Tunisia, this amphitheatre is built entirely of stone blocks, with no foundations and free-standing. Find the top-rated and best-reviewed tours and activities in El Jem for 2020. It is home to some of the most impressive Roman remains in Africa, particularly the world-famous "Amphitheater of El Jem". Half-day excursion from Sousse to the amphitheater of El Jem (From US$57.13) Full-Day Kairouan and El Jem Tour from Tunis (From US$126.96) 1 Day Excursion Kairouan and El Jem from Tunis or Hammamet (From US$169.07) Kairouan and El Jem Small Group Private Tour from Tunis w/ Lunch (From US$199.00) Historical Half day Tour in El Jem (From US$123.87) One of the most magnificent examples can be found in the Tunisian city of El Djem, considered to be home to the most impressive Roman remains in the whole of Africa, and famous for its starring role in the Hollywood epic ‘Gladiator’. Why such a large amphitheatre was chosen for Tunisia Jem '' the airfield today with the land returned. ) is a small town in the World, ways to wander, and signature experiences UNESCO 1979. 35 metres, a huge racetrack stadium has been discovered El Jem is a in! For Tunisia Air Forces Twelfth Air Force as a World Heritage Site since 1979 and of... Atlas Obscura User ) the amphitheatre of El Jem, in Tunisia, is of. 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