A wide-angled view of El Jem amphitheater with seating, arches, and visitors exploring the ancient ruins.

About this experience

Discover El Jem

El Jem, Tunisia

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English العربية

Published: 2026 (v2)

Story outline

  • Welcome to El Jem

    The Amphitheatre of El Jem, located in Tunisia, was built at the start of the 3rd century and reflects the presence of the Roman Empire in the region. It was designated an UNESCO world heritage site in 1979.

  • Stop 1. All roads lead to El Jem

    El Jem was a thriving Roman complex with diverse structures and infrastructure, including roads, water systems, and agricultural support—making it a hub for community and commerce.

  • Stop 2. An architectural feat

    The Amphitheatre’s innovative architecture and engineering showcase a blend of Roman and North African techniques, featuring locally sourced sandstone.

  • Stop 3. A spectator's view

    The Amphitheatre was built to host 30,000 spectators, with seating determined by social status, reflecting the deep-rooted hierarchial structure of Roman society.

  • Stop 4. Where the action unfolds

    The purpose and use of the Amphitheatre of El Jem has changed over time. It was built to host gladiatorial events, but it also served as a fortress, and the arena is now used for modern day festivals.

  • Stop 5. Behind the scenes

    Beneath the arena, elaborate underground tunnels served as holding space for gladiators and animals before they were lifted into the arena to fight for entertainment.

  • Stop 6. Preserving El Jem

    El Jem remains a vital heritage site thanks to ongoing restoration and conservation efforts aimed at sustaining its cultural legacy.

  • Stop 7. An evolving legacy

    Despite centuries of change and damage, El Jem is still an important physical and cultural monument to the community.

Voices

  • A woman in a light pink headscarf smiles at the camera. She is wearing a navy top with a bright pink and blue floral print.

    Shayma Griguiche

    Local community member

    Shayma is from Mhadia Governorate. She is a student at ISG Mahdia and is studying business project management.
  • A man and woman stand next to one another. The man is on the left and is wearing a green polo shirt with a blue jacket. He has dark hair and a short beard. The woman is wearing a red shirt with a black sweater. She has long, dark, curly hair.

    Ameni Ben Romdhane & Hamime Bannour

    Local community members

    Ameni is from Mahdia Governorate. She holds a master's in documentation in business and works as a project associate for an international think tank.

    Hamime is also from Mahdia Governate and holds a bachelor's degree in Management at ISG Mahdia. Hamime has a passion for photography.
  • A man with short, dark hair and a scruffy beard looks into the camera and smiles. He is wearing a black shirt and a dark grey jacket.

    Bassem Hamouda

    Local community member

    Bassem is from Mhadia Governorate and is interested in understanding history and art.
  • A woman in a black headscarf and sunglasses on her head smiles at the camera. She is wearing a pale pink and blue printed top with a dark green sweater.

    Sihem Ben Mohamed

    Heritage advisor

    Sihem is a Heritage Advisor and Conservator at the National Heritage Institute.

Partners

About the Project

Discover the history, architecture, and stories of El Jem, North Africa’s largest amphitheater, in this community-made virtual tour.

Related Links

Credits

The tour was produced as part of the Community Heritage Exchange Initiative (CHEI), a collaboration of the U.S. Department of State Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, StoryCenter, and CyArk. Storytelling Videos: Created in a workshop led by Amy Hill and Raymond Caldwell, Silence Speaks (www.silencespeaks.org). Drone footage by Samy Frikha. Special thank you to Yassine Gaidi for contributing photography.