 Originally a Berber village, Dougga is located in the north of Tunisia. It was taken over by the Romans in the 2nd century and on your visit, you have much of Roman ruins to explore. It was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO and effort is made to preserve the Roman remains. The temples, baths, villas, theaters are the best examples of the Roman remains and architecture.
Arch of Septimius Severus
The Arch of Septimius Severus in Dougga dates back to 205 A.D. It 5m arch which was constructed to commemorate town’s up gradation to the status of Municipium. The status of Municipium empowered the town to have its own constitution and practice its own administration and civic law.
Arch of Severus Alexander
The Arch of Severus Alexander in Dougga was constructed around 223 and 235, probably as a celebration of being granted some more privileges to the city. Also known as Babe er Roumia in Arabic, the Arch of Severus Alexander is located on the north-western side of the Forum. They are in a better condition than Arch of Septimius Severus.
Baths of Licinius
The Baths of Licinius or the Winter Baths in Dougga was constructed in 260 A.D. It was later developed in the 4th century. The bathing complex started with a square entrance hall which was enclosed by 12 columns that supported the tube vault. The bathing complex had marble walls and mosaic floor. A small passage will lead you to the cold room or frigidarium which is located in the center of the complex. There is palaestra which is also enclosed within the columns. From the frigidarium, you can move to the water bath or tepidarium in the north and then to the caldarium or the hot bath. The caldarium was heated by an under-floor hypocaust. Other rooms featuring in the Baths of Licinius are a lavatory and sudatorium or the sweat bath.
Baths of the Cyclopes
The Baths of the Cyclopes in Dougga is located adjacent to the House of the Trifolium. It is a complex of buildings with arched rooms in the basement. The bathrooms are located in the south side of the complex. One of the unique features of the baths of the Cyclopes is the public lavatory. The lavatory has 12 seats on a bench similar to the shape of horse-shoe.
Capitol
The Capitol in Dougga was built in 166 A.D. or in 167 A.D. The Roman temple stands between the Place de la Rose des Vents and the Forum. One of the best preserved temples in North Africa is the best example displaying the architectural technique, opus africanum. The staircase leads to the portico which is in the front of the cella. The portico features 6 Corinthian columns, five of which are limestone monoliths. The rear wall of the cella has cubicles for statues of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. At the base of the temple, there was an aisled crypt which might have been used as a church. The architrave found has the names the donators and is also dedicated to the Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus.
Circus
Ahead of the temple of Minerva is located 185 yards long Circus in Dougga. The circus was built in 204 A.D. but at present it features only a plain ground.
Cisterns
The cistern of Ain el Hammam in Dougga which is located ahead of the Arch of Severus has 5 basins measuring 33m in length and 5m in height. Ain Mizeh cistern which is located 150m towards the north has 7 basins. They are in a perfect condition and are very impressive. Water from here was delivered to the town by an aqueduct. They were so well constructed to check any leakage problem.
Dar el Acheb
Dar el Acheb in Dougga was constructed in between 164 and 166 A.D. Located towards the south-west of the temple of Tellus in Dougga, Dar el Acheb was probably a temple. It has a rectangular doorway that leads to the walled courtyard.
Forum
The Forum in Dougga lies to the west side of the Capitol and was the place where many official ceremonies were held. The Forum was built in the 2nd century A.D. and was central place during the Roman times. The Forum was enclosed on three sides by the porticoes. The portico had originally 35 columns of red-veined marble columns and had white marbled Corinthian capitals. There were also numerous public buildings all around. In the 6th century, for the Byzantine fortification, the Forum, the Capitol and the Temple of Saturn were incorporated into it.
Market
The market in the ancient Dougga is assumed to be built on 1st century A.D. You can find the market on the southern region of the Place de la Rose. By the end of the 2nd century, the market started functioning as a flesh market. However, in the 6th century, the market was destroyed due to the construction of Byzantine fortress. On your visit, you can find two dwelling houses, the House of the Cupbearers and the House of the Steps, on the eastern side of the square.
Mausoleum of Ateban
The Mausoleum of Numidian Prince Ateban in Dougga dates back to 3rd century. It is the only structure belonging to the Numidian/ Punic period. The architecture of the Mausoleum is probably influenced by the Greek and Egyptian style of architecture. The mausoleum even holds the name of architect, Abarish. The mausoleum was destroyed in the 19th century but was again restored back by the French archaeologist. The three-story mausoleum stands on a square plinth which is supported by six-stepped substructure. The square has pilasters which has in its corners Aeolic capitals. Further, three steps lead to the second-story which features Ionic semi-columns. Three more steps lead to the third-story which has at its corner, equestrian statues. The roof of the mausoleum is pyramidal in shape.
Mustis
Mustis which is located 12 km away from Dougga lies on the southwest direction. It is assumed that the Marius had settled the place at the end of the 2nd century. In the later years it prospered and also earned the status of Municipium. On the both sides of the town there featured triumphal arches, one of which is still preserved. Other features remains that you see while touring Mustis are temple of Apollo, temple of Ceres, Roman houses’ relics, temple of Pluto, three-aisled Byzantine basilica and fortress.
Place de la Rose des Vents
Place de la Rose des Vents in Dougga lies ahead of the Temple of Augusta. It is a square which was constructed around 190 A.D. The east end of the Place de la Rose des Vents is semicircular in shape and is enclosed by columns. The pavement of the square features limestone slabs. The Place de la Rose des Vents is an extension to the forums.
Summer Baths
Summer Baths are located in the south-west of the site of Dougga. The Ain Doura spring is located close to the Summer Bath.
Temple of Concord
The temple of Concord lies ahead of the main entrance of the baths in Dougga. The temple was built in between 128 and 138 A.D. To the south-east corner of the temple was a small theater which originally had a roof but was later blocked by town hall.
Temple of Juno Caelestis
The Temple of Juno Caelestis in Dougga was constructed in between 222 and 235 A.D. by Julius Gabinius and Julia Gabinia Venusta. The Roman goddess Juno Caelestis resembles the Punic goddess Tanit. The Temple of Juno Caelestis is surrounded by a single row of columns. It is further enclosed by a semi-circular portico which is further surrounded by a semi-circular wall. The basin which was used for purification lay on the eastern side of the temple. The northern side of the temple features an apse which probably must have been constructed when the temple started functioning as church. Beneath the temple you will find the Exedra of Juno Regina, a small oratory and a tomb of the Roman family.
Temple of Mercury
The Temple of Mercury in Dougga is located on the northern side of the Place de la Rose. The temple was dedicated to the god of trade. The portico of the temple features ten columns and through the portico you can proceed to the sanctuary which has three cellae. The three cellae is assumed to be the worship house of African trinity of gods.
Temple of Minerva
The Temple of Minerva in Dougga was constructed in between 138 and 161 A.D. The site of the Temple of Minerva is said to have numerous Roman and pre-historic tombs.
Temple of Pietas Augusta
The Temple of Pietas Augusta in Dougga was built in the 2nd century A.D. The site of the Temple of Pietas Augusta has the remains of two columns featuring Corinthian capitals. Ahead of it, there are structure of the temple of Fortuna and a small mosque.
Temple of Saturn
The Temple of Saturn in Dougga was previously the site of Temple of Baal. To the east side is the entrance which features four Corinthian columns and on the western side has three cellae. The inner courtyard is enclosed by Corinthian portico on three sides and beneath the courtyard was a cistern which had the head of statue of Saturn. It was placed in the middle cella. On the south side, there is a cella which has the remains of its stucco-covered vaulting. A flight of seven steps take you to the hypogeum, an underground burial chamber which must have been a pagan cemetery.
Temple of Tellus
Beyond the Forum, you will find the Temple of Tellus in Dougga which was built in 261 A.D. The temple which is dedicated to the fertility goddess Tellus features three cubicles in the cella wall which house the statues of Tellus, Pluto and Ceres.
Theater
The beautiful theater in Dougga dates back to 168 A.D. The theater which was built in Roman style usually was meant for the performances of comedies and plays. It had 3 tiers of seating arrangements in a semi-circular shape. Each tier has 19 rows with a height of 15m. The theater had the capacity to accommodate 3,500 spectators. The seats in the lower end were meant for the guests of honor. The pulpitum had numerous cubicles for marble statues which separated the auditorium from the stage. An entrance on the stage takes you to the hall which features Corinthian columns. The basement of the stage had many store-rooms.
Victoria Church
Victoria Church in Dougga is a little church located on the east of the Temple of Saturn. Constructed in 5th century A.D. it has utilized the stone from the Temple of Saturn. The Victoria Church features a small aisle and has mosaics in it. Probably the church is named after the sarcophagus found in the grave under the raised presbytery bearing the name “Victoria.”
Villas
The road running to the east of the Dougga has numerous villas to see which were very attractive in the ancient times. Most of the villas in Dougga were built in mid-3rd century A.D. The door opened to the street and the antechamber led ahead to the rooms which were preceded by porticoes. In the winters rooms on the upper floors were suitable for staying whereas in the summers rooms in basement were good. The large houses usually looked out into the beautiful garden whereas; the smaller ones looked into the inner courtyard. The villas that you can see in Dougga are House of Dionysus and Odysseus, House of the Labyrinth, House of the Three Masks, House of the Trifolium and the other house named “Omnia tibi Felicia” which must have the municipal brothel. The largest house in Dougga is supposed to be the House of Trifolium of which the remains of the lower rooms can be seen. |