El Jem Amphitheatre

Built c. 230-238 AD in the Roman city of Thysdrus, this is the largest amphitheatre in North Africa, measuring 162 by 118 metres with a capacity of up to 35,000 spectators. Constructed entirely of stone blocks with no foundations, it reflects the prosperity of Thysdrus from olive oil trade. In the Middle Ages it served as a fortress during Arab attacks in 647 AD; in 1695 a wall was breached to flush out rebels. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, its tiered seats and arches remain intact up to 35 metres high, arguably better preserved than Rome's Colosseum.