Uthina, or Oudna as it is sometimes known, is possibly one of the oldest colonies in Africa. It dates back to the time of Augustus, who lived and ruled from 63BC to 14AD, and probably has Berber origin. Uthina is about 20 miles or 30km south of Tunis and is actually a site of ruins which cover more than 140 hectares over a 3 mile diameter area, nearly three miles in circumference, founded on a hilly plateau

A Roman colony, Uthina appears to be the ruins of the city known as Henshir Oudna. It was on the main route to Carthage from the south and west of the country. The city appears to have fallen into ruin after the 7th century Arab conquest. There are still plenty of interesting buildings which are still standing and give a good idea of how the city would have looked.

Within the remains of this Roman colony there is a large amphitheater, or rather the remains of one, dating back to the 2nd century AD; a theater and some fine Roman villas with their mosaic tiled floors still largely intact. There was also a triumphal arch, a fortress and a basilica with a circular crypt. As a civilized Roman town, it had private and public baths, an aqueduct and large water storage cisterns. See if you can locate the site of the capitol, thought to be the largest in Africa, built on three levels. there are the remains of a fortress, Cisterns, an aqueduct, triumphal arch, , amphitheatre (third in Roman Tunisia, seats 15 to 16 thousand), basilica . Many beautiful mosaics by the capital building.

Uthina is now an archaeological park and is still being excavated. It is being transformed gradually into a major tourist attraction. Signposts, proper paths, a museum, visitor’s centre and shop are all planned. Go now, while you can still capture the ancient atmosphere that lingers over these amazing ruins!

General Info.

Entry Tickets cost 4 dinars (2009) per person. Might be charged 1 dinars for photography.

Souvenir / bookshop: sold at the Ticket booth, main entrance.

Restrooms: under construction.

Estimated time to tour the site: 45 min to 1  hour.

HOTELS
Nothing.

RESTAURANTS
Nothing.

CHANGE MONEY
Nothing.

TRANSPORT
Better drive yourself or arrange for a day trip along with Thuburbo Majus (by El fahs) and why not vist the temple of Waters in Zaghouan.