Ben Arous: Oudhna and the Traces of Antiquity

If you are considering Ben Arous as a destination for a hotel stay, ancient Oudhna offers a striking historical focus. The site combines the history of a Roman city with large public buildings and mosaics. This makes it possible to think of a visit in terms of different interests: the colony’s development, its architecture and public infrastructure, and the imagery found in its homes.

From Colony to Golden Age

Oudhna was founded at the end of the 1st century BCE as a colony for veterans of Rome’s XIII Legion. The colony was also known as Uthina and reached its peak in the 2nd century CE, particularly under Hadrian. At the same time, its possible history stretches further back: Oudhna probably existed before Roman rule in Africa, perhaps as early as the time of North Africa’s indigenous Berbers. This early dating remains a possibility, while the founding of the colony and its later peak should be distinguished clearly.

Amphitheater, Baths, and Water Supply

The amphitheater is partly cut into a hill on the northeastern edge of the city and can accommodate around 16,000 spectators. Its hillside setting and scale give it a different impact from a freestanding building that rises fully above the ground. The baths are also among the large public buildings: this symmetrical structure of the imperial type covers about 10,000 square meters. The upper level contained hot and cold rooms; the lower level was used to store firewood. An aqueduct supplied Oudhna with water, including to the baths. Large public cisterns stood southwest of the forum. Together, these buildings show how public spaces and water infrastructure were part of the ancient city.

Houses and Mosaics

The residential buildings also offer a distinct view of Oudhna. The House of Ikarios covers about 2,300 square meters and contains more than 30 rooms. One of its mosaic floors depicts a grape harvest; in the central scene, Dionysus gives Ikarios a grapevine. The motif brings together a harvest scene and a mythological depiction. Several other houses with mosaic floors have also been excavated at the archaeological site. An ancient theater and a historic temple known as the Temple of the Capitol round out the picture of the site. To get your bearings, it is worth distinguishing between these different types of buildings and imagery rather than viewing Oudhna only through its amphitheater.

Trails in Boukornine National Park

For a nature-focused outing, Boukornine National Park offers three established visitor trails: a general discovery trail, a trail for exploring the park’s plant and animal diversity, and a hiking trail. There are different themes to choose from, ranging from a general walk to nature exploration or a hike. If you plan to take one of the trails, check the current trail conditions before your visit.

Putting It in the Context of Tunisia

For a comparison of scale within Tunisia: the capacity of the El Jem amphitheater is estimated at 35,000 spectators; the amphitheater in Oudhna can accommodate around 16,000. On a different historical scale, the Medina of Tunis contains around 700 monuments, spread across seven areas. These examples are part of the wider destination of Tunisia and should be distinguished from the buildings described in Oudhna.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Hammam Chott, Ez Zahra, Hammam Lif, Mornag, Gafsa, Beja, Monastir, Kairouan.

For the overall travel guide: Tunisia.