Timgad
A Roman colonial city celebrated for its clear street grid, monumental arch, forum, theatre, baths, library, and surrounding Christian buildings.
Photo: Dan Sloan · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Country
- Algeria
- Region
- Batna Province
- Civilisation
- Roman
- Period
- 1st–7th centuries CE
- UNESCO
- World Heritage ↗
Through time
The story
Timgad or Thamugadi, nicknamed the «Pompeii of north africa» was a Roman city in the Aurès Mountains of Algeria. It was founded by the Roman Emperor Trajan around 100 CE. The full name of the city was Colonia Marciana Ulpia Traiana Thamugadi. Emperor Trajan named the city in commemoration of his mother Marcia, eldest sister Ulpia Marciana, and father Marcus Ulpius Traianus.
Timgad is Located in modern-day Algeria, about 35 km (22 mi) east of the city of Batna. The ruins are noteworthy for representing one of the best extant examples of the grid plan as used in Roman town planning.
In 1982, UNESCO inscribed Timgad as a World Heritage Site.
Adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What you will see
- Arch of Trajan
- Cardo Maximus
- Roman Theatre
Before you go
- Check opening hours and ticket rules shortly before your visit — they change seasonally.
- Plan for the heat. Most ancient sites have little shade; go early or late.
- Respect the barriers. Fragile surfaces are protected for the next visitors.
Discoveries from Timgad
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