The trip
El Jem is a luxury, sometimes forgotten, the traveler should expect a lover of history in the middle of the driest nothing. There is a beautiful city, or surrounded by a fascinating landscape. His home environment are low and ground powder. But, this is a site touched by the magic of the man must step. There was built, larger than Rome had in all of Africa. The work speaks for itself; must see, stroll around the stands and down to their trenches to understand the scope of little brother, but perhaps best preserved, Roman Coliseum. A historical jewel.
The first thing I would point out is that Tunisia is one of the best travel money I made in my life. There are plenty of very cheap deals to fly and stay in the tourist cities of the coast, as Sousse, Hammamet to Monastir, that can serve as a perfect base of operations to cover a vast country of enormous wealth and natural history. Do not be afraid of either the road or to the alleged dangers that they announced in hotels and agencies, is a safe country (must take the same precautions as in other places) which will draw a lot if they move away from the terrible tourist tours. Hire a car and go up north, most of the way is the highway P-1, to see the ruins of Carthage mythical (virtually nothing remains of this civilization), where you can also see the Roman Baths of Antoninus (perhaps the best preserved of Rome in the north).
El Jem was then a major city, over 150.000 inhabitants (but now), which served as a granary for Rome
But, the country's architectural jewel is the spectacular amphitheater Djem. South of the tourist coastal towns I mentioned earlier, must take the P-1, highway is no longer, and after just over an hour's drive leads to a building in scale can guess from afar. It was built by the Emperor Gordian in 230 dC. and had a capacity of about 40.000 spectators. Its 148 meters long and 122 wide are proof of the magnitude of this monument. El Jem was then a major city, over 150.000 inhabitants (but now), which served as a granary for Rome. In particular, its extensive olive groves flourish made the city a lot and became the second largest, Carthage after, of this part of Africa.
The trenches of the Wild
When the traveler include the construction will feel, it has ido a Roma, contemplating almost a work of the famous twin to the Coliseum. The truth is that Tunisia is perhaps the amphitheater, yet, Italy's best preserved. Entering, can be lowered to the trenches, walk the beach and climb to higher tiers. Impressive, majestic. You can not always enjoy so direct an architectural relic of this importance. From above, the perspective is global and understood their true capacity of the public. In the pit, distinguished perfectly the rooms where the wild animals caged and can understand the elaborate system of pipes and cisterns to collect rainwater. The stone remains that reddish color that seems to blend with the desert environment and distant horizon (the amphitheater is in the middle of the city, surrounded by buildings).
In the seventh century, The Jem is wrapped in a beautiful legend, saying that the princess took refuge there Kahena Berber, who succeeded in uniting various Berber tribes to contain the Muslim invasion coming from the East. The truth is that the princess spent four years locked up with their own inside the amphitheater as the invaders expected to die of hunger. As we said our guide, a passage connected the building with the sea, which allowed the besieged could eat during those months. Legend has it that Kahena was betrayed by a lover who knew her secret. The young man's head off the princess and sent the cacique Muslim. (On this place there are other legends about hidden treasures that have never been found).
A legend said that Jem Stones had powers to ward off pests, which made the locals began to remove stones to take them home at the end of XVII
Ten centuries later would begin the dismantling of this monumental work. A legend said that Jem Stones had powers to ward off pests, which made the locals began to remove stones to take them home at the end of XVII. A story repeated in many parts of the world, where they have dismantled unique architectural works to build roads, puentes…
The final chapter is important Jem lived in the Second World War, when an improvised landing strip near the German planes from the Luftwaffe could seriously damage the premises. It was bombed by the allies on several occasions, but luckily no shell fell on their ancestral foundation.
The visit to the Jem recommend it as a stop for those who will visit the southern desert oasis, salt lake or great Sahara dunes. In the town, of the same name, there is little else to do (There is good archaeological museum with Roman mosaics is also worth, but little else). For those who do not go to the south route, must invest a mandatory one morning to see the great "Coliseum of the desert".
The road
Seek multiple offers charter flights that make great travel agencies. The price of a week, Flight and hotel included, may be around 300 euros at certain times. Although only use the ticket can be profitable.
In Tunisia, is advisable to rent a car in some agencies hire international (whether to go into the desert, choose April 1×4).
A nap
-In the city of Sfax, close to Jem, can stay at the luxurious hotel "Les Olivers Palace". Double rooms from 140 EUR.
-En route to the desert oasis, sleep in the spectacular Tamerza Palace. A wonderful hotel that is worth almost losing just to enjoy it and look at her views. Their website is www.tamerza-palace.com. From 135 euros the double room. Worth. The food is also excellent.
A table set
-Sorry I can not name them, but opposite the entrance door Jem Amphitheatre, no loss, There is a small bar run by a charming Tunisian, that gibberish Castilian, and offers some rich and inexpensive dishes of the country. Yes, not sell alcohol. Less than 15 euros per person.
–Queen Restaurant. Tunisian and European food. Price: 20 euros per person. Direction: Avenue Taieb Mhiri, Sousee.
Highly Recommended
-Do not hesitate, make their own path the mountain oasis. Tamerza, Chebika and Measures are three spectacular sites that should go without hordes of tourists who flock there in the morning (we, last hour of her late, enjoy them all to ourselves). Swim under a waterfall in the desert is a unique experience.
-Go from Tamerza to Tozeur, which may provide an ingenious system of irrigation in the great oasis and countless dates, which has more than 1.000 years old. Cross the fascinating salt lake Chott el Jerid not forget it.
