Carthage Amphitheatre, Tunis
The Carthage Amphitheater is an ancient Roman venue built in Carthage during the late 1st or early 2nd century AD. It is one of the three amphitheaters in Africa constructed on flat land, with the other two being El Jem and Thapsus. An inscription from 133-139 AD verifies that the amphitheater was already in use at that time and was further expanded during the 3rd century. It had a seating capacity of 30,000.
During the Middle Ages, the building impressed many visitors, including the Arab Andalusian historian and geographer, Al-Bakri, who described it as "the most wonderful in Carthage." The amphitheater was designed as a circle of arches supported by columns with different symbols representing the winds and animals, and various figures carved in relief, according to Al-Bakri and Al Idrissi, a Muslim geographer.
Unfortunately, the site was pillaged by looters, leaving only the arena surviving into the 20th century. Nevertheless, the wall has since been restored. A cross was erected in the center in 1887 to honor the martyrdom of two Catholic female saints, Perpetua and Felicity. Today, the amphitheater is still used for summer festivals.
During the Middle Ages, the building impressed many visitors, including the Arab Andalusian historian and geographer, Al-Bakri, who described it as "the most wonderful in Carthage." The amphitheater was designed as a circle of arches supported by columns with different symbols representing the winds and animals, and various figures carved in relief, according to Al-Bakri and Al Idrissi, a Muslim geographer.
Unfortunately, the site was pillaged by looters, leaving only the arena surviving into the 20th century. Nevertheless, the wall has since been restored. A cross was erected in the center in 1887 to honor the martyrdom of two Catholic female saints, Perpetua and Felicity. Today, the amphitheater is still used for summer festivals.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tunis. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Carthage Amphitheatre on Map
Sight Name: Carthage Amphitheatre
Sight Location: Tunis, Tunisia (See walking tours in Tunis)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Tunis, Tunisia (See walking tours in Tunis)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Tunis, Tunisia
Create Your Own Walk in Tunis
Creating your own self-guided walk in Tunis is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Carthage Walking Tour
Carthage is a modern, upscale seaside suburb of Tunis and a unique place of archaeological and cultural value, situated at the site of an ancient capital of the Carthaginian (Punic) civilization, which fell to Rome in the 2nd century BC.
The settlement was founded by the Phoenicians in the first millennium BC and, after being destroyed by the Romans in the course of three Punic Wars, emerged... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
The settlement was founded by the Phoenicians in the first millennium BC and, after being destroyed by the Romans in the course of three Punic Wars, emerged... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tunis Introduction Walking Tour
Tunis is the capital of Tunisia and one of the largest cities in the Arab world. Tunis was a Berber settlement founded on and around the ancient city of Carthage. The settlement of Tunis dates as far back as the 4th century BCE. It became the capital city in 1159.
The city was controlled by numerous empires over the years, which has lent to its interesting art and architecture. With influences... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
The city was controlled by numerous empires over the years, which has lent to its interesting art and architecture. With influences... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
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