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Tunisia

While driving from Tozeur to Kairouan we encounter a caravan of appproximately 70 camels crossing the road in front of us. What a treat.

There were so many camels it was impossible to shoot a photo of all of them at one time.

The sign was perfect timing too.

We say goodbye to our caravan into the distance as we motor on.

A chance meeting with the camel herder of the caravan. He was riding a motor bike. I found that strangely funny.

We stopped along the roadside to purchase some local nuts. All types of nuts.

After lunch we visit the the archaeological site of Sbeitla, an archaeological site in Sbeitla, in north-central Tunisia. These Roman ruins contains the best preserved Roman forum temples in Tunisia. It was excavated and restored between 1906 and 1921.

The Triumphal Arch, to the right in the photo, of the Tetrarchy at the entrance to the city commemorates the four emperors that governed the empire in the year 300, just before the rule of Constantine the Great.

The Public Baths

Northwest of the Great Baths are four precarious-looking stone pillars the last remnants of the Church of St Servus, which was built in the fourth century AD on the foundations of an undetermined pre-Roman temple.

Geometric mosaic floors remain in existence here, as well as in the adjacent gymnasium some are recent replacements, but they are plainly discernible.

The ruins of the major baths, east of the forum, are notable for their intricate under-floor heating system in the hot chambers, which is plainly visible now that the floors have collapsed partially.

The Gate of Antoninus, which stands at the entrance to the forum and can be dated between 138 and 161. Its inscriptions make reference to Antoninus Pius and his two adopted sons, Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius

Close up view of the Gate of Antoninus

The three temples. Instead of constructing only one temple dedicated to the three most important Roman gods Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, the inhabitants of the city built separate temples for each one. These are the gods that protected Rome.

The Forum, one of the best preserved in the world with the 3 temples in the background.

Great Mosque of Kairouan in Kairouan, Tunisia was founded in 670. The minaret dates from the early ninth century, or at least its lower portion does. Perhaps inspired by Roman lighthouses, the massive square Kairouan minaret is about one hundred feet, making it one of the highest structures around. So in addition to functioning as a place to call for prayer, the minaret identifies the mosque’s presence and location in the city while helping to define the city’s religious identity.

The Great Mosque, the oldest Muslimlace of worship in Africa, is large, a rectangular stone mosque with numerous columns supporting the structure courtyard.

During the eighth century, the mosque was rebuilt at least twice as Kairouan prospered. However, the mosque we see today is essentially ninth century. The Aghlabids , 800–909 AD were the semi-independent rulers of much of North Africa. In 836, much of the mosque was down most of the earlier mudbrick structure and rebuilt it in more permanent stone, brick, and wood. The prayer hall or sanctuary is supported by rows of columns and there is an open courtyard.

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