ALGERIA’S ROMAN ANTIQUITIES

Djemila, Timgad, Tipasa – Algeria’s triumvirate of Roman UNESCO World Heritage sites ranks amongst the finest in the ancient world, perhaps even more impressive – and certainly less visited – than Libya’s Leptis Magna.

ROMAN ALGERIA ITINERARY

SITES IN ROMAN ALGERIA

Tipasa, nestling undisturbed amongst palm trees on the shores of the Mediterranean, once served as an inspiration to Albert Camus. Phoenician, Roman, palaeo-Christian and Byzantine ruins vie for attention alongside the nearby Mauritanian mausoleum.

The Roman remains in eastern Algeria, unheralded and unvisited, delight even the most worldly traveller: south of Constantine, on the northern slopes of the Aurès, lies Timgad, the “Pompeii of Africa”: constructed under Trajan as a bulwark against the unruly Berbers, Timgad represents the embodiment of Roman urban planning.

Tébessa’s elegant, beautifully-preserved 3rd century AD Temple of Minerva is bettered by its ancient basilica, whilst praetorianLambaesis is one of the most magnificent legionary camps in the whole of North Africa. The wheel-rutted streets of Djemila – ancient Cuicul – are lined with two forums and a clutch of elaborate houses, churches and temples.

Tiddis, clinging to the summit of an ochre-red hill, the labyrinthine casbah of Algiers and Constantine, “City of Bridges”, are three further highlights of this ten day programme.

ROMAN ALGERIA ITINERARY

ROMAN ALGERIA SITES