SIDI KHELIFA (Pheradi Maius)		Quality of Remains
		Ease of Access
		Atmosphere & Setting

History & Occupation:

Pheradi Maius dates from the pre-Roman era of Tunisia, but was later re-established as a classic Roman city. The community must have become wealthy and prominent, given the traditional public buildings (capitol, temples, amphitheatre etc.) and the quality of the nymphaeum and triumphal arch. It appears to have reached a zenith under the Antonine Emperors and the Severan dynasty, during which time it received most of its monuments. The city was apparently still flourishing under Byzantine rule in the 6th century, given the fortress constructed on the hill above to protect the city and the recent find of a number of Byzantine gold coins. However, with the arab invasion in the 7th century, the city was abandoned and never rebuilt.

Remains and Visit:

Quite simply: hire a car. Like Oudna and Zaghouan and so many other Tunisian sites, public transport simply is not enough. Even with a hire car, it was a task to find Sidi Khelifa. But the thing is, it's worth it. It's worth the hiring and driving. Sidi Khelifa has the potential to be as great as other sites like Thuburbo Maius and Oudna, but only a small area of the large site is excavated. However, what is there is just beautiful. There is something about Sidi Khelifa that calms the blood. If you have more time than we did there is a lot of the site still buried, but with tiny parts visible, such as the amphitheatre or high class housing areas. On the hill overlooking the site is the remains of a temple later converted to a Byzantine fortress, but this has been closed and sealed off recently. In the main visitor area, the forum and its surrounding buildings have been excavated and consolidated. The path from the car park leads up to a small bath house with some nive plaster and mosaics in site. Beyond this you will reach the beautiful golden arch that announces the entrance to the forum. This area is mostly flat and with low walls and stubs of columns, but the arcade of the monumental nymphaeum is breathtaking. In essence, while Sidi Khelifa has actually less to offer than many other sites, what is does offer is well presented, cared for and is beautiful enough and in wonderful enough settings that it will sit in your memory as a highlight of your trip.

Images:

Bathhouse	Bathhouse	Forum Gate	Great Square	Nymphaeum
Ruins	Forum