<< Web Picks >> Tunisia's Amphitheatre of El Jem is One of the Greatest Engineering Achievements
Submitted by Andy_B on Tuesday, 30 June 2026 Page Views: 56
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It was built without a foundation but had underground passages and arches, showing what a remarkable engineering achievement it was, not just for its time but also as a modern-day example of what’s possible with the right design.
El Jem was a Filming Site for Gladiator
The backdrop of El Jem was used for a lot of the North African arena scenes in the movie and helped to bring the character of Maximus to life. The film ended up becoming a defining epic and won five Academy Awards. Two decades later, Gladiator II helped to prove once again that our love for ancient gladiatorial arts is stronger than ever. Interestingly, modern-day marvels have taken after arenas like El Jem.Wembley Stadium is home to some of the biggest football matches in the world, and Wimbledon has become synonymous with Centre Court at Wimbledon. In American Football, the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas stands out as an architectural marvel.
All of these stadiums take after the ancient building practices and designs of coliseums, but with augmented reality experiences, retractable lights, and LED displays. Virtual reality is also helping people to experience the wonders of stadiums and arenas, as they allow fans to explore stadiums virtually.
Podcasts, like The Stadia podcast, dive into stadium architecture and what went into constructing such arenas. In iGaming, stadiums also play a prominent role. Casino live games like Sports Arena Live Lobby are a prime example, with the cover image showing a sports stadium with floodlights, seating for thousands of people, and a presenter, emulating the experience of entering a packed sports venue but in a digital format.
Even though stadium construction has changed a lot over the years, the design has stayed relatively the same, with historical arenas like El Jem offering inspiration from its oval design. The Kia Oval is a prime example of how the layout is still adopted to this day, and how El Jem is as significant as ever.
The Amphitheater of El Jem Is Unrivaled
El Jem is one of the best-preserved amphitheaters in the world. To this day, nearly 70% of the walls are intact, which is more than Rome’s Colosseum. 30-meter walls are made out of hewn stone and decorated with mosaics.The arched openings ensured that the sunlight came into the arena, hitting the floor to illuminate the spectacle. Basement cells were used for slaves and for wild, caged animals. Those who visit the site can go through the basement labyrinth, with the chance to see the emperor’s box, which is above the main entrance.
Gordianus, the architect, died before the construction was finalised, with the builders being so unsure as to how to finish the design that the production nearly halted. The Vienna Opera performs at El Jem on an annual basis. La Scala and other famous orchestras and artists also perform regularly, due to the brilliant acoustics.
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