El-Jem (Tunisia)

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We visited El-Jem amphitheatre in the beginning of February 2007 and the weather was nice and sunny but not baking hot as Tunisia in the middle of summer can reach incredibly hot (40°C) The Amphitheatre was built around the year 200AD and it was the scene of games and circuses, often cruel and bloody. These games are more commonly known now as Gladiator and chariot racing, always the same ending in DEATH. The Amphitheatre was capable ...
...bloody games by the precise beauty of world famous orchestras and artists perform at the classical music festival held at the colosseum each summer.

When you arrive at the collosseaum you’ll be amazed how high the walls are in fact they are 35 metres. There is a small ticket box situated outside this is where you can also purchase a photography ticket for around a £1, this entitles you to take photos. You will notice this a lot in ... more

El Jem amphitheatre Tunisia 2007

In February 2007 my boyfriend and I decide on a short break away to somewhere both of us have never been before. Tunisia was one our choices as there was places to visit, and good weather. We booked a good deal with Thomson the cost £560 that is approximately £280 each this was based on half board in a 4 star hotel for 7 nights. I decided to write a review on El Jem as we both had a lovely time there and recommend anyone in that area to visit.

*****Background******

We where staying at a hotel in Port el Kantaoui, and our reps introduced us to various excursions throughout our weeks stay. We were restricted on money front but wanted to see outside the walls of our hotel, we thought the trip to El Jem would be a fantastic opportunity to see some of the sights of Tunisia. The price of our tickets where around £20 this included coach, guide and lunch.
Our day arrived and as we had made a few friends in our hotel we all went along for the trip, we had a fantastic time on the coach, and saw a lot of true life style of the Tunisians. Homes, Business and Schools. Did you know Tunisians are taught to speak 4 languages? There main language is Arabic, then French, English and they have a choice of to either learn Spanish, German or Italian on top. Our guide was very helpful and pointed out places to us on route. Our coach was quite new and had Air con and this is definitely needed in this country when travelling through the day time. The journey took us around 1hour and 20 mins as we stopped off and took photos.

****** Amphitheatre *******

We visited El-Jem amphitheatre in the beginning of February 2007 and the weather was nice and sunny but not baking hot as Tunisia in the middle of summer can reach incredibly hot (40°C) The Amphitheatre was built around the year 200AD and it was the scene of games and circuses, often cruel and bloody. These games are more commonly known now as Gladiator and chariot racing, always the same ending in DEATH. The Amphitheatre was capable of seating 35,000 spectators. Today, the amptitheatre has replaced the bloody games by the precise beauty of world famous orchestras and artists perform at the classical music festival held at the colosseum each summer.

When you arrive at the collosseaum you’ll be amazed how high the walls are in fact they are 35 metres. There is a small ticket box situated outside this is where you can also purchase a photography ticket for around a £1, this entitles you to take photos. You will notice this a lot in Tunisia when visiting places. Once inside the collosseum it is totally breath taking on the total mass scale of it. Our guide told us the history of the amphitheatre and showed us areas surrounding it. This was a brilliant insight to the place. Then we were aloud to venture off on our own to explore;

~ Dungeons ~
This was our first place to visit, and we were not disappointed. The local’s have preserved the dungeons and not made a tourist impression out of it. The cells where bare and dark with the original scratches/ engravings on the walls. This was quite chilling as you could just imagine these heavily blooded men standing there, waiting to fight. Awaiting there fate with either gladiators or Animals normally lions. Along from the cells where the animal enclosures which they had ramps leading up on to the main ground of the collosseum. The only light down in the dungeons was the trap door which lead them straight to the middle of the collosseum. This was a wooden platform winched up by soldiers.

~ Seating & Views~

Upon leaving the dungeons we decided to take the hike up the stairs to reach the top and admire the view. There is only one side you can climb and sit as this side was rebuilt a few years ago. This side is more modern but will not spoil the over all impression. I do warn those who are hard of walking/climbing it is a fair climb with a lot of steep steps. Once at the top though it is all worth it, this is a great photo opportunity of the main floor plan - you can see straight into the dungeons thought the trap doors and you get a real feel of the amphitheatre. We sat on the top set of seats and imagined what it would be like sitting there with 35,000 people screaming, in baking hot temperatures watching men fight for there lives. The views from the top is great you can see out across the main town and all the busy little shops.
The amphitheatre is by all accounts one of the best preserved of the remaining Roman structures. (One half is currently being cleaned by workmen and covered in scaffolding.) This place also has quite a famous part recently it played a part in the filming of Gladiator, (starring Russell Crow) The scene is apparently at the beginning when he is a Gladiator and doing small fights. It was also digitally enhanced to make it look complete.

~ Gift shop~

There is a gift shop on site which sells postcards of the amphitheatre from all angles brilliant for a keepsake. There are also paintings and other Tunisian tourist souvenirs. Next to the gift shop is the Toilets so you don’t have to go into the local town and find one. There is also a small stand selling drinks and ice-creams - lovely in the heat to stop off at the top and eat your ice-cream.

~ Locals ~

To be warned that the locals will try and sell you anything, we had considerable trouble with the locals as I am blonde and they wanted to buy me from my boyfriend to his amusement till he realised they were actually being honest. We found if your polite and firmly say no thank you they normally give up and hassle another tourist. However if you do decide to buy from the locals haggle strong and firmly as they will try and rip you off. In some places I found Tunisia is still very religious and woman are covered up and in other area women where dressed as westerners. I do recommend if you are going to the locals markets girls to wear trousers or long skirts do not show of your knees or above as you may be scowled at and possibly spat upon.

~ Conclusion~

My overall conclusion would be you have to visit this place if your in Tunisia. The whole experience was brilliant for us and we enjoyed our day out. it is a long journey by coach but it beats hanging around by the pool.

Thanks for reading

2007 @ hotblonde 

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