Dougga

دقة

One of the best-preserved Roman towns in North Africa. The Capitolium, theater, baths, and a Libyco-Punic mausoleum are scattered across an olive-covered hillside.

Dougga lies on a hillside about 110 kilometers southwest of Tunis. It was originally a town of the Numidian kingdom and later became the Roman city of Thugga. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The site covers about 70 hectares. Because of its remote location, it escaped being built over by later cities, making it the best place in North Africa to experience the layout of a Roman town. Highlights include the Capitolium, completed in 166 CE, with its Corinthian columns and pediment almost fully intact; a theater that seats about 3,500 people and still hosts summer performances; the Wind Rose on the Area of the Winds; the Licinian Baths and underground passages; the brothel, residences, and mosaic floors; and the rare Libyco-Punic mausoleum from the 2nd century BCE, a rare example of pre-Roman Numidian architecture. The site is built into a steep hillside, and visitors are usually few, so you can enjoy the ancient town in the evening light in relative solitude. Check admission prices on site, and consider hiring an on-site guide. There is no direct public transport, so hiring a car is recommended. The drive from Tunis takes about 2 hours, and you can combine it with a visit to the nearby Bulla Regia ruins. Bring water and sun protection, as there is little shade on site.

Dougga

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