One must-visit location for any would be “Indiana Jones” or wannabe archeologist would be the town of El Jem, which is about 40 miles or so to the south of Sousse. This is home to some spectacular Roman era ruins, including a Roman coliseum that is almost as magnificent as the one in Rome itself!

Built around the year 200 AD, it was the scene of gladiatorial games, chariot races and other bloody Roman spectacles for almost 400 years. An onsite model even offers a look at what the structure may have been like in all its glory with a roof that was made of wood and cloth.

Extremely well preserved, almost a full half of the outer structure remains intact, as it would have been nearly 1800 years ago. The interior has been partially restored to allow for seating today. While no longer the home to blood sport, this coliseum is home instead to regular concerts, including an annual classical music festival that is held each summer.

The ruins of a second, smaller amphitheater are also worth seeing, and are just on the outskirts of the small town of El Jam. This was likely an earlier structure, and instead of being built of massive stone, was actually a hole dug out much like many modern sports stadiums in America.

El Jem also has other points of interest dating to antiquity, including those of excavated remains of Roman merchant houses, and a museum that houses artifacts from the surrounding area. This makes El Jem a gem of place to visit, where you can almost feel like a Roman Emperor for a day!