Surprising El Jem, Tunisia

El Jem is an easy day trip from Sousse by train. Its Roman amphitheater, the largest remaining in Africa, third largest (after Rome and Capua) of all, and used in the movie Gladiator, was awesome as expected. 

The amphitheater seated 35000 spectators, just about the population of El Jem today, which might explain why the place had not been quarried more. At its height, El Jem was second only to Carthage due to its position on the trade route, which would explain the existence of the amphitheater. What I didn't expect to see was the incredible quantity and quality of mosaics in the El Jem Museum. I love mosaics. It's a good thing we had not come here earlier. Forever after, every other collection will pale against those Tunisian mosaics. The question in my mind now is: Was North Africa richer than Europe, or were there more and better artists in North Africa?

We rode the SNCFT train from Sousse to El Jem. Here is a short video and a photo of the Gare de Sousse (Sousse Station). Link here or embedded below.




There were many olive groves along the way. Watch another short video. Link here or embedded below.


The Roman Amphitheatre is visible as soon as one leaves the station plaza.


Here are a bunch of photos of the Roman Amphitheatre including some of the underground passages. Note that the seating has been reconstructed.




















The Mosaics at the nearby El Jem Museum were some of the best we've seen. We especially liked the "fight scenes" from battles at the amphitheatre for their artistic merit, not the subject matter.














Dolphins!


There were several excavated Roman Villas next to the museum




Back in El Jem we bought a clutch of "Tunisian Fricassees" a fav vegetarian snack of stuffed, fried dough - "hold the tuna please" - from Fast Food Pepe (not real name).


Followed by a short sunset walk on the very windy beach promenade.