"Sufetula" Sbeitla by JLBG

Sbeitla Travel Guide: 25 reviews and 64 photos

Sbeitla, Sufetula as it was named is built on the edges of Central Tunisia steppes. It is one of the finest antiquity locations of Tunisia. The name of Sufetula is of Berber origin. As soon it was integrated in the Roman Empire it became a municipe, and later a colonia, which means it was fully integrated economically and culturally to the Roman world. When Christianization took over, it became a bishopry. After the Vandales period, it was ruled by the Byzantins that made it their capital. In 647 BC, it was taken by the Arab army of Abdallah Ibn Salah.

Contrary to Dougga, Sufetula is built on the classical Roman’s plan with straight streets. It has an impressive forum with three Temples, a Theater in good condition and an amphitheater poorly preserved, several churches (the Church of Bellator, the Church of Vitalis, the Church of Servus the Priest), several fountains, 2 Public baths (the Main Baths and the Small Baths) and Byzantine forts. A fine antiquity museum has now been created.

Although there is no inscription to indicate to whom they were dedicated, it is generally assumed that the Capitol was dedicated to the three divinities of the official Roman Pantheon, Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. Instead of building a single temple divided into three chapels or niches as, for example, one finds at Dougga, the builders at Sbeitla conceived a far more grandiose project for their town and built a temple for each divinity. Specialists outline this was only attempted once elsewhere, given the cost of the project. To give unity to the ensemble the central temple was fronted by a tribune without steps, and one acceded to the central temple through the two lateral temples; one can easily imagine the scared processions moving from each extremity of the forum and symmetrically converging on the central temple, which was more opulently decorated and adorned than the other two.

Intro Updated Feb 4, 2005
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Reviews (7)

The Arch of Triumph to the Tetrarchy - Sbeitla

The Arch of Triumph to the Tetrarchy Things to Do (7)

The Arch of Triumph to the Tetrarchy was built in honor of the four Emperors (the Tetrarchate) who jointly ruled the... more travel advice

Olive mill Things to Do (7)

This picture shows in the background the forum and the three temples and in the foreground a press for olive oil. There... more travel advice

The Temple of Jupiter, an acanthus capital - Sbeitla

The Temple of Jupiter, an acanthus... Things to Do (7)

This close-up on the capital of a column allows to see that it is adorned with acanthus leaves. The use of acanthus... more travel advice

Temple of Jupiter, the frieze Things to Do (7)

The capitals of the columns of the Temple of Jupiter sustain a frieze carved with several lines of stylized leaves. They... more travel advice

Comments (8)

Yaqui Jun 29, 2010 at 5:11 AM Report Abuse

I wonder what the condition of the forum is now days? Its still a beautiful piece of history. Lovely page!
volopolo Jun 16, 2009 at 3:03 AM Report Abuse

i love historical places
Carmanah Jul 17, 2007 at 2:42 PM Report Abuse

Really beautiful photos - I love stumbling upon places around the world that are both rich in history and ancient architecture.
matcrazy1 Apr 14, 2005 at 8:32 AM Report Abuse

The Temple to Jupiter and The Arch of Triumph to the Tetrarchy look impressive! Great shots!
LoriPori Feb 27, 2005 at 3:25 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for visiting my Marseille page. I enjoyed your Sbeitla photos & tips, especially the Antonine Gateway. Lori.
Bwana_Brown Feb 6, 2005 at 3:07 PM Report Abuse

Great information and photos Jean-Louis!! A very perceptive tip about how height above ground can preserve a delicate artwork for the Ages!! Amazing page!
BarbaraForza Feb 4, 2005 at 11:09 PM Report Abuse

I agree with Dee...amazing light in your pics! As always a good page!
deecat Jan 18, 2005 at 12:55 PM Report Abuse

How fortunate for me...first to tell you how stunning the photographs are. The lighting is just fabulous. These are, indeed, gorgeous places. Good work.