Ez Zahra is a coastal town south of Tunis, whose history goes back to its former name, Saint-Germain. It lies in the southern suburbs of the capital and borders the Mediterranean, as well as the municipalities of Radès, Hammam Lif, and Bou Mhel el-Bassatine. Its coastal location and local history therefore provide two clear ways to explore the town.
A Coastal Town with a History
The municipality of Ez Zahra was established on September 10, 1909, during the colonial period, under the name Saint-Germain. At the time, the seaside resort of Ez Zahra, founded under that name in 1909, had an extensive beach. Paintings by Paul Klee and August Macke, created in 1914, were also associated with Saint-Germain.
La Siesta was the former casino of Saint-Germain; the complex included bungalows by the sea. At a later point in its history, the La Siesta building became a restaurant. Traces of a fortress can also still be seen in Ez Zahra.
Oudhna in the wider Ben Arous travel region
In the wider Ben Arous travel region, Oudhna is a distinct archaeological highlight. Oudhna was founded at the end of the 1st century BC as a colony for veterans of the Roman 13th Legion. The colony reached its heyday in the 2nd century AD, particularly under Hadrian. Oudhna probably existed before Roman rule in Africa; its prehistory may extend back to the time of the indigenous Berbers of North Africa. Thus, possible earlier settlement and the later Roman colony stand side by side as distinct historical layers.
The amphitheater on the northeastern outskirts of the city of Oudhna is partly cut into a hill and seats around 16,000 spectators. The House of Ikarios covers about 2,300 square meters and has more than 30 rooms. Its mosaic floor depicts a grape harvest; the central image shows Dionysus giving Ikarios a vine. Several houses paved with mosaics have been excavated at the archaeological site.
The large public baths are a symmetrical building of the imperial type, covering about 10,000 square meters. They consist of two levels with different functions: the upper level contains hot and cold rooms, while the lower level was used to store firewood. An aqueduct supplied Oudhna with water, including water for the baths. The archaeological site also includes an ancient theater and a historic temple called the Temple of the Capitol. Large public cisterns were located southwest of the forum.
Different measures can be used to compare the complex: the amphitheater is notable for its approximate audience capacity, the House of Ikarios for its number of rooms and mosaic, and the baths for their layout and water supply. In this way, the performance venue, residential architecture, and bathing infrastructure can be distinguished as different aspects of Oudhna.
Discover more destinations: Mornag.
See the overview of the wider travel region: Ben Arous.
