Gightis Ruins

May 7, 2023

Tunisia's proximity to Europe and its status a a former piece of the Roman Empire means there are still artifacts of that government available to visit today. Not too far away from the IRA sites is a protected area called Gigthis which is a coastal township ruin from 2oo CE.

Walking through, much of the layout and structure/flow of the city is in-tact; you can view different market stalls, bathhouses, kitchen areas, latrines, and more. It doesn't take much imagination to sit yourself in the heart of a bustling Roman port, with vendors vying for your attention as you make your way to the temple in the city center.

Ruins entrance, surrounded by lights and powerlines hugging the road close by.

Irrigation lines run everywhere - I am unsure where exactly they got their fresh water from, it might be wells?

A column base, alone. There were several other columns that were more in-tact throughout the ruins.
Remains of and old bathhouse. In the center, you can see what I believe to be a heating element for the hot and warm baths.

As mentioned above, much of the internal structure can still be made out by walking around the grounds.

Eventually, you make your way to the city-center. An open, square center lined on either side with small temples with Roman deity dedications/inscriptions, with a large temple to the emperor flanking the main temple in the center.

The main temple, flanked to the left by the Roman emperor's temple, and to the left and right by other deity temples.
Many stones still maintained legible inscriptions.

From the top of the main staircase, there is a great view of the surrounding area as a local high point.

The temple to the Roman emperor.

Nathan Dodson