| El Jem قصر الجمّ | ||
 | ||
| State | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Inhabitants | 21.234 (2014 census) | |
| Prefix tel | 216 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 5160 | |
| Time zone | UTC 1 | |
Position
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El Jem (Thysdrus in Latin) is a small town in the eastern part of the Northern Tunisia whose amphitheater belongs to world heritage of humanity in Tunisia.
To know
El Jem was formerly the Roman city of Thysdrus, one of the most important cities of the North Africa after Carthage (which is now on the outskirts of modern Tunis); this has allowed him to preserve some of the best Roman ruins ofAfrica. The amphitheater was built around the middle of the 3rd century AD. and was designed to accommodate up to 35,000 spectators.
Having fallen into a state of decay, its blocks were used for the construction of the surrounding city and also to contribute to the construction of the Great Mosque of Al-Kairouan (Kairouan); the amphitheater has been declared heritage ofUnesco in 1979. More recently it was used for the filming of some scenes of the Oscar-winning film "Gladiator".
Background
The city was built, like many other settlements Romans in Tunisia, in place of old Punic centers. Thanks to a less arid climate than the current one, the Roman Thysdrus it prospered in the second century when it became an important center for the cultivation and export of olive oil. It was the seat of a Christian diocese, still ruled by a bishop of the Catholic Church.
From the early third century, when the amphitheater was built, Thysdrus (today's El Jem) rivaled Hadrumetum (today's Susa) for the role of the second Roman city of North Africa, after Carthage. Following the revolt that broke out in 238, and the suicide of Gordian I in his Roman villa near Carthage, Roman troops loyal to Emperor Maximin Thrace destroyed the city, which was never rebuilt.
How to orient yourself
El Jem: full screen map.How to get
El Jem is roughly equidistant from Susa is Sfax, located not far from the main road that connects the two cities.
By car
Reachable in a southerly direction from Susa (or north from Sfax) in about 1 hour. The amphitheater is clearly visible as you approach the city and the junction is well signposted.
One of the more expensive options is the Taxi, but this gives maximum flexibility. Either you give the driver a return time or ask him to wait. The price must be agreed before leaving and the order of magnitude of the expense for a return trip from Susa or Sfax is 50 TND.
On the train
- 1 El Jem station. A return ticket from Sfax it should cost around 10 dinars and take around 45 minutes. You can only see the top of the Colosseum from the train station.
- It is also possible to take an early morning train from Tunis to see El Jem and take the return train in the afternoon. Each route takes 3 hours and about 10 TND (March 2016) per person.
How to get around
El Jem is a small town and everything that may be of interest to the visitor is within walking distance.
On the train
Using the Railroad is also a very convenient method. The trains are comfortable and the journey is short.
What see
- 1 Roman amphitheater.
Entrance for foreigners 12 TND (Oct 2019) the ticket also includes access to the archaeological museum, photographic rights 1 TND. 
September-March: 7: 30-17: 30, April-September: 7: 30-18: 30. The amphitheater (often incorrectly called Colosseum) dominates the modern city and is capable of seating 35,000 spectators. It was used in several scenes of the film "Gladiator". The amphitheater of El Jem was built by the Romans under the control of the proconsul Gordian I, who was acclaimed Emperor in Thysdrus, around 238. It is 36 m high, with an elliptical plan of 148x64 m.
Entrance for foreigners 12 TND (Oct 2019) the ticket also includes access to the archaeological museum, photographic rights 1 TND. 
September-March: 7: 30-17: 30, April-September: 7: 30-18: 30. The amphitheater (often incorrectly called Colosseum) dominates the modern city and is capable of seating 35,000 spectators. It was used in several scenes of the film "Gladiator". The amphitheater of El Jem was built by the Romans under the control of the proconsul Gordian I, who was acclaimed Emperor in Thysdrus, around 238. It is 36 m high, with an elliptical plan of 148x64 m.- Until the seventeenth century it remained more or less intact. From that moment on his stones were used for the construction of the neighboring village of El Jem and the Great Mosque of al-Kairouan and in a period of tension during the conflict with the Ottomans, i Turks they used cannons to track down the rebels hiding inside.
- The amphitheater is best viewed at sunrise or sunset and this is also the best time to take photographs. Although the interiors may be closed at those times, photographing the site from the surrounding streets is certainly always possible.
- The amphitheater is still used for concerts especially in the summer.
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- 2 Archaeological Museum (From the amphitheater, follow the Grand Mosque road towards the southern outskirts of the city). Entry for foreigners 12 TND (Oct 2019) the ticket also includes the amphitheater, photo rights 1 TND. September-March: 7: 30-17: 30, April-September: 7: 30-18: 30. The archaeological museum has many mosaics from the excavations of the Roman villas of Thysdrus. Numerous rooms that hold artifacts from the site are also present in the Bardo National Museum and the Museum of Susa. Adjacent to the museum, there is the "villa of Africa", a reconstruction of a Roman house for didactic purposes. It has two notable mosaics: the first represents the goddess Africa, surmounted by an elephant body and surrounded by busts representing the four seasons. The second is a symbolized representation of Rome and its provinces.
- 3 Corinthian capital. This capital is located at the intersection of two important arteries of the city.
- 4 Small amphitheater of El Jem, Rue Avicenne. free. Free access. Few remains of this amphitheater which is overlooked by visitors because of the importance of the larger one.
Events and parties
- [link previously not working]El Jam International Symphony Music Festival (Festival international de musique symphonique d'El Jem o المهرجان الدولي للموسيقى السمفونية بالجم) (In the amphitheater). 10 to 30 TND. In the summertime. Symphonic music festival held since 1985. Since its inception, the festival has attracted numerous orchestras including the Symphony Orchestra of Rome. It is housed in the 3rd-century El Jem amphitheater, with a capacity of between 27,000 and 30,000 spectators.
What to do
Climb to the higher levels of the amphitheater and enjoy the view of the surrounding countryside. Or, go down below the center of the arena to see the rooms where animals were once caged for fighting (this part is much more intact and accessible than the Colosseum equivalent of Rome).
Shopping
How to have fun
Where to eat
There are a large number of tourist-focused cafes (complete with courteous hawkers who speak several languages) near the entrance to the site. Or try the coffee inside the amphitheater if you are feeling adventurous. You will probably pay a better price at the "hotel" near the parking lot.
A supermarket (super-merche) is located on the main road between the train station and the amphitheater.
During Ramadan it is impossible to find a restaurant that is open during the day.
Where stay
The accommodation options are very limited. Most visitors visit El Jem in a day from the nearby towns of Susa is Sfax, and it is recommended to do so. Day trips can be done with an organized tour or just as easily independently by train, louge or taxi.
For those who wish to sleep here, the Julius Hotel is located next to the train station. But it's not really recommended.
Safety
El Jem's souvenir hawkers are arguably the most rude and pushy in the whole country. If you arrive by bus they will crowd around it even before you have parked and will stick to it as soon as you get out. Remember that you are under absolutely no obligation to buy anything, no matter how insistent they are. If they have put their goods in your hand asking for money, refuse to take the item by returning it or placing it on the ground. Badly you will receive some incomprehensible rude word, but it is not a threat, just a gesture of annoyance. Often just keep calm and ignore them.
How to keep in touch
Around
- Susa - One hour from El Jem. The city is listed among the world heritage of humanity in Tunisia for its architecture. It is a popular tourist resort comprising many places of interest: fortifications, Grand Mosque, ribat, medina and Kasbah.
- Sfax - One hour from El Jem.
- Gabès - Beach and communication hub.
- al-Kairouan (Kairouan) - An important Islamic shrine with the Great Mosque and the Barber's Mosque. Its medina is worth a visit.
Useful information
It is worth mentioning that the site has one of the cleanest public toilets in Tunisia, which is located about 150 meters to the right of the entrance.
