"Long forgotten Bulla Regia" Bulla Regia by JLBG

Bulla Regia Travel Guide: 13 reviews and 11 photos

On the southern slopes of the Kroumirie mounts, Bulla Regia was most probably founded by the Phoenicians. It was conquered in 203BC by Scipio the African. Around 150 BC it became the capital of Hiarbas, the king of a small Numid kingdom. Later, one of the sons of king Massinissa had a residence in the city. Romans conquered it in 46 BC when Julius Caesar organized the “Africa nova”. Under Augustus, it became Colonia Aelia Hadriana Augusta Bulla Regia. It was transformed into a colony as it had an excellent geographical position :
- in the middle of the rich Bagradas valley, watered by the main river of the country, the Medjerda.
- On the road from Carthage to Hippo Regius.

It was in the 2nd and 3rd century AD that the Roman Bulla Regia had its greater pride. The architecture of the houses is very special and found nowhere else. Because of the heat, they were built on 2 levels. The ground level was for winter while the underground level was for summer. It was arranged in a way that allowed light to come in but not the heat. Moreover they had an elaborate system of air conditioning. The bottle shaped earth ware objects shown on next picture are open on both ends. They were piled one above the other and covered completely the walls, making a perfect lining in which air could flow, maintaining a pleasant temperature.

An earthquake destroyed the city. The ground levels collapsed into the underground levels. The city was completely abandoned and forgotten but the undergrounds remain protected and unspoiled for centuries, until 1906 when the first diggings began.

Intro Written Jan 6, 2005
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Reviews (7)

Bear Things to Do (7)

The last mosaic represents a brown bear. There are 23 Roman mosaics in Northern Africa that represent a bear, sometimes... more travel advice

Fishes Things to Do (7)

This picture is a close-up on another part of the mosaic showing a large fish which might be a Dusky grouper or Black... more travel advice

Cupid riding a dolphin Things to Do (7)

The close-up on the Cupid on the left shows that he is leading the dolphin with a bridle. All around the Mediterranean,... more travel advice

House of the Fishing Things to Do (7)

In the house of the Fishing, a mosaic presents two Cupids, each riding a dolphin in a sea rich with fishes of all kind.... more travel advice

Comments (13)

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Yaqui Jun 29, 2010 at 5:08 AM

The mosaics are beautiful. Such a lost art. Amazing it has still retained its color. Nice page JL!
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lynnehamman Feb 23, 2010 at 1:56 PM

Marvellous mosaics- especially mosaic of Venus . Such a beautiful craft- I wonder why it ever went out of fashion.
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volopolo Dec 15, 2008 at 8:01 AM

I like the picture of House of Amphitrite. Another very nice website of you Jean-Louis
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LoriPori Dec 5, 2006 at 4:40 AM

The mosaic of Venus is indeed very beautiful. Loved your impeccable description of it.
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willy_wonka Dec 13, 2005 at 6:47 PM

between your tunisian pages, and boris's, i must say i have to get myself over there and check out all these amazing ruins for myself! nice page JL!
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mariev May 5, 2005 at 1:35 AM

Je continue tout doucement, avec plaisir, ma (re)découverte des anciennes civilisations méditéranéennes (et c'est tellement plus intéressant que les vieux bouquins d'histoitre)
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matcrazy1 Apr 14, 2005 at 8:27 AM

Fantastic mosaics... Hmm... I skipped Bulla Regia, I saw some similar mosaics in Bardo Museum in Tunis and in Carthage as well.
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BarbaraForza Feb 4, 2005 at 11:12 PM

Amazing mosaics, especially the Venus one!
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croisbeauty Jan 25, 2005 at 4:06 PM

They told us the most valuable mosaics can be seen in Bardo Museum, but it was another lie, this are more beautiful. I'll show Bardo mosaics in my Tunis page, have about 30 pics.
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olja1234 Jan 25, 2005 at 9:56 AM

Outstanding mosaics, and your comments too. Perfect!