135½ M. RAILWAY, in 7–8¾ hrs. (24 fr. 65, 17 fr. 60, 13 fr. 20 c.).
The morning train has a dining-car between Le Khroub and Duvivier.
Buffets at Le Khroub and Duvivier. The only intermediate station of
interest is Hammam-Meskoutine.
From Constantine to (10 M.) _Le Khroub_, see pp. 274, 273.
Our line diverges to the E. from those to Algiers and Biskra (RR. 43,
44) and ascends between low hills in the bleak valley of the _Oued
Berda_, a tributary of the Oued Bou Merzoug (p. 272).
18 M. _Bou-Nouara_ (2330 ft.) has an ancient _Berber Necropolis_, whose
dolmens and rock-tombs, 1¼ M. to the N. of the railway, extend along the
spurs of _Jebel Mazela_ (3412 ft.).
25½ M. _Aïn-Abid_ (2822 ft.), the highest point on the line, lies on the
watershed between the Oued Berda and the _Oued Zenati_, one of the
feeders of the Seybouse (p. 308). 35 M. _Aïn-Regada_ (2487 ft.), also in
a dreary steppe.
42 M. =Oued-Zenati= (2268 ft.; Hôt. de France), pleasantly situated on a
partially wooded hill-side, the only large village before Guelma, has a
busy market (Sun., Mon., Thurs.).
The ROAD TO GUELMA (28 M.; diligence in 4¼ hrs.) leads to the N.E.
through a pretty hill-country direct to _Medjez-Amar_ (p. 308), just
before (14¼ M.) _Aïn-Amara_, and below _Thibilis_ (p. 307).
Road and railway make a long bend to the W. round the hill-region of
_Bou Hamdan_. Beyond (52 M.) _Bordj Sabath_ (1759 ft.), where, below the
influx of the _Oued Sabath_, the Zenati is called _Oued Bou Hamdan_, the
scenery changes. The valley, whose slopes are richly overgrown with
olive-trees and underwood, contracts. In the stony river-bed grow many
wild oleanders.
59 M. _Taya_ (1312 ft.), a pleasant oasis with fruit-trees and
eucalypti, lies near the stalactite grottoes, not easy of access, in the
limestone hill of _Jebel Taya_ (3963 ft.). The valley again contracts in
the two _Gorges de Taya_.
68 M. =Hammam-Meskoutine= (1312 ft.; *Hôtel des Bains; R. 5–6, B. 1½,
déj. 3½, D. 4, pens. 14, motor-omn. 1¼–1½ fr., open 15th Nov. to June),
the Roman _Aquae Thibilitanae_, is now one of the most noted baths in
Algeria. The ‘indifferent’ springs are strongly impregnated with
chloride of sodium and sulphate of lime; one, containing iron, has a
temperature of 187° Fahr., the others 226°. The latter form the *_Grande
Cascade_, 5 min. from the station, on the way to the hotel, falling over
a terrace of calc-sinter 42 ft. high, a miniature edition of the
terraces of Yellowstone Park, or of Hierapolis (in Asia Minor). Below
the terrace rise date-palms and splendid olive-trees, while the bed of
the _Oued Chedakra_ with its profusion of oleanders further enhances the
peculiar charm of the scene. The curious limestone cones, a few paces to
the E., relics of old eruptions, have given rise to the Arabian legend
of the petrified wedding party, from which the place derives its name
(‘Baths of the Petrified’). Smaller springs rise beyond these cones and
also 3 min. to the E., near the railway.
Enclosed by the houses of the bath-hotel is a charming _Garden Court_,
with orange and lemon trees. Most curious among the numerous Roman
antiquities (stelæ, funerary inscriptions, etc.) placed here is the
house-altar of the Antistii, from Thibilis (see below), on the S.
terrace, shaded by a venerable terebinth. The ruined _Piscinae_ are the
only relics of Roman buildings.
EXCURSIONS. To the S.W. lies the (¾ hr.) _Lac Souterrain_, a pond 88
ft. deep, in a cavern formed in 1878 by a landslip. In sunshine (best
2–4 p.m.) the water assumes a beautiful blue colour.—To the S., a
little aside from the lake just mentioned, we may ride on mule-back,
or walk, viâ _Aïn-St. Charles_ and _Aïn-Amara_ (see above) to (2 hrs.)
_Announa_, the Roman =Thibilis=, lying on a narrow hill (ca. 2300
ft.), high above the _Announa Valley_, where excavations have been
made since 1905. We note specially the _East Gate_, the _Entrance
Arch_ of the forum, vestiges of the _Market Basilica_, the house of
_Magister Pagus_, and the sadly ruined _South Gate_, the only
two-arched Roman gateway in Algeria. Outside the late-Byzantine
town-walls, on the S.W. side of the little town, is the _Byzantine
Basilica_ built of fragments of Roman buildings; in the semicircular
choir-recess are five rows of seats for the clergy, with the bishop’s
place in the centre.—A new road (carr. 12 fr.) leads to the N.W. to
(9½ M.) the ancient Berber _Necropolis of Roknia_, on the W. slope of
_Jebel Debar_ (3442 ft.), with many dolmens (p. 324) and rock-tombs,
sadly damaged of late.
The train next makes a wide bend to the S., round the wooded hills of
the _Beni Addi_, past the influx of the _Oued Cherf_ into the Bou
Hamdan, which now takes the name of _Seybouse_. 72 M. _Medjez-Amar_ (958
ft.), amid fine hill scenery.
80 M. =Guelma= (916 ft.; Hôt. d’Orient, Rue Sadi-Carnot, tolerable; Hôt.
de l’Univers; pop. 10,200), a pleasant little town, in a broad
olive-clad basin, was founded on the site of _Calama_, in 1836, when the
_Byzantine Town Walls_ of the time of Solomon (p. 315) were partly used
to build the French camp. The striking ruins of the Roman _Thermae_ (2nd
cent. A. D.), with walls still about 33 ft. high, and the _Jardin
Public_, with Roman antiquities, are worth seeing. There is a small
collection of antiquities also at the _Mairie_. The restoration of the
_Roman Theatre_ was begun in 1907 but never finished.
Guelma holds the greatest _Cattle Market_ in E. Algeria (Mondays; chief
of all, last Sunday in April). The poor-looking oxen, mostly light-grey,
of the E. districts as far as the Tunisian frontier, are known as Guelma
cattle.
An interesting excursion may be made from Guelma by carriage (12 fr.
whole day) to _Thibilis_ (p. 307).
As the train proceeds, we have a fine view, to the right, of _Jebel
Mahouna_ (4630 ft.), often snow-clad in winter. 82½ M. _Millésimo_ (755
ft.); 86 M. _Petit_, amidst pleasant wooded hills.
93 M. _Nador_ (430 ft.), with the poor huts of the natives half-hidden
by cactus-hedges, is the station for the zinc-mines on _Jebel Nador_
(2418 ft.), owned by the Vieille-Montagne Company.—We next traverse the
_Gorges du Nador_, clad with underwood.
101 M. =Duvivier= (312 ft.; Rail. Restaur.; Hôt. Lagarde, poor; pop.
2000), below the mouth of the _Oued Melah_ (p. 312), junction for Bona,
Souk-Ahras (Tunis, Tebessa; RR. 49–51).
Our line now runs to the N. through the Seybouse valley. 103½ M.
_Boudaroua_, 105½ M. _Oued-Frarah_, 110 M. _St. Joseph_, all on the W.
border of the wooded hills of the _Beni Salah_.
On the right, just before (117 M.) _Barral_, is the new reservoir of the
_Canal d’Irrigation de la Seybouse_. The chief branch of the conduit
runs on the left bank through the plain of Bona. A minor branch, along
with the highroad, crosses to the right bank, below the picturesque
village, by the iron _Pont de Barral_.
We now enter the _Plaine de Bône_, the broad, largely marshy flats of
the Seybouse, a picture of luxuriant fertility in spring, with their
extensive vineyards, flower-carpeted meadows, tall aloes, and
picturesque clumps of trees.
120½ M. _Mondovi_ (72 ft.; Hôt. Honorati), the agricultural centre of
the district, with many thriving farms.
[Illustration: BÔNE]
124 M. _St. Paul_, junction of a branch-line to (7 M.) _Randon_. To the
left appears the _Massif du Beleliéta_ (876 ft.), in front of Jebel
Edough (see below); then, between (127 M.) _Duzerville_ and (130½ M.)
_Allélik_, is seen the low _Massif du Bou Hamra_ (499 ft.), with its
very ancient iron-mines, now worked by the Mokta el-Hadid Company (p.
303).
Skirting the fringes of the hills last named the train now runs close to
the Seybouse, and beyond the castle-hill of _Hippo Regius_ (p. 311), on
the left, crosses the _Oued Boudjimah_.
135½ M. =Bona.=—STATIONS. 1. _Gare de la Comp. Bône-Guelma_ (Pl. A,
4), the chief station, for Constantine and for Souk-Ahras and Tunis
(RR. 49, 51).—2. _Gare de la Comp. du Mokta el-Hadid_ (Pl. A, B, 4),
for the St. Charles line (p. 303).—3. _Gare de la Calle_ (Pl. B, 4),
for the light railway to La Calle (p. 131).
ARRIVAL BY SEA (comp. RR. 20, 22). The steamers of the Gén.
Transatlantique (agent, De Pleurre), of the Transports Maritimes
(agent, Teddé), and of the Navigation Mixte (agent, Fadda) are all
berthed at the Quai Nord (Pl. B, C, 3), in the Petite Darse. Cabs, see
below.
HOTELS (comp. p. 174). _Hôtel d’Orient_ (Pl. a; B, 2), Cours
Jérôme*-Bertagna, with frequented restaurant, well spoken of; _Hôt.
Cramet_ (Pl. b; B, 3), Rue Prosper-Dubourg; _Hôt. Continental_ (Pl. c;
B, 2), Passage des Thermopyles (entrance next the Hôt. d’Orient), with
good restaurant, déj. 2, D. 2½ fr., plain; _Hôt. Moderne_, Rue des
Volontaires, new.
CAFÉS. _Café St. Martin_, Cours Jérôme-Bertagna; _Brasserie du Petit
Gambrinus_, Rue du Quatre Septembre.
POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE (Pl. B, 3), Place de la Poste.
BANKS. _Banque de l’Algérie_, _Comp. Algérienne_, _Crédit Lyonnais_,
and _Crédit Foncier d’Algérie et Tunisie_, all in the Cours
Jérôme-Bertagna.—BOOKSELLERS. _Faure_ (_Legendre_), cor. of Rue St.
Augustin and Rue du Quatre Septembre; _Borel & Langlade_, Cours
Jérôme-Bertagna.
BATHS. _Euvremer_, Rue Damrémont; _Bains Maures_ (comp. p. 175), Rue
Bélisaire.—SEA BATHS. _Grenouillère_ (p. 310), in the Avant-Port;
_Plage Chapuis_ and others at St. Cloud-les-Plages (p. 311).—THEATRE
(Pl. 4; B, 2), Cours Jérôme-Bertagna.—RACES, 24th April.
CABS (stand, Cours Jérôme-Bertagna). Drive 1 (and back 1½) fr.; first
hr. 2, each addit. hr. 1½ fr; half-day 8, whole day 15 fr.—OMNIBUS
from the Cours Jérôme-Bertagna to the Plage Chapuis, etc.
CONSULS. British Vice-Consul, _H. A. Scratchley_, Rue du Rempart
3.—U.S. Consular Agency, Rue Thiers.
ONE DAY. Forenoon, _Harbour_, _Cours Jérôme-Bertagna_, _Hippo Regius_
(pp. 310, 311); afternoon, _Cap de Garde_ or _Bugeaud_ (p. 311).
_Bona_, French _Bône_, Arabic _Enneba_ (pop. 42,900, incl. 28,300
Europeans, mostly French, 11,200 Mohammedans, and 1700 Jews), on the W.
side of the _Gulf of Bona_ (p. 128), a fortified town, is the chief
seaport of Algeria after Oran and Algiers and the most important outlet
for the produce of the département of Constantine, such as phosphates
(p. 315), iron (comp. pp. 310, 314), zinc, cork, cattle, and cereals.
Besides its fine harbour, the town offers no sights; but it deserves a
visit especially in winter, for the sake of its pretty situation at the
foot of _Jebel Edough_ (3307 ft.; p. 169), not far from the picturesque
_Cap de Garde_.
Bona lies on the small _Anse du Cassarin_, about 1¼ M. to the N.E. of
_Hippo_, which was one of the chief Phœnician colonies on the coast of
N. Africa. Under Masinissa (p. 321) Hippo was the capital of Numidia,
and under the Roman empire, when it was called _Hippo Regius_, it was
the richest port on the N. coast next to Carthage and rivalled Cæsarea
(p. 244). Here in 393 met a council of over three hundred bishops, who
for the first time recognized the present canon of the New Testament.
On that occasion St. Augustine (born in 354 at Thagaste, p. 313),
attended as a presbyter and co-bishop. Chief among the four ‘Latin
fathers’ and a keen opponent of the Donatists (p. 322), St. Augustine,
after his conversion at Milan by St. Ambrose (387), settled at Hippo,
where he was bishop from 395 to 430, and died there during the siege
of the town by the Vandals. After its destruction by Genseric and the
downfall of the Vandals, whose king Gelimer (p. 322) sought his last
asylum on Mt. Edough, Hippo arose from its ruins once more under the
Byzantines, but it succumbed to the assaults of the Arabs in 697 and
was thenceforth entirely abandoned.
The present town of _Bona_, founded later by the Arabs on the slope of
the Kasba hill, was seized by the Genoese in the 15th cent. for the
sake of its valuable coral-fishery. After the conquest of Tunis (p.
332), it was occupied for a short time by the Spaniards in 1535, and
afterwards temporarily by the Compagnie d’Afrique from Marseilles. In
1837, soon after the entry of the French (1832), the old Kasba, built
under Charles V., was blown up, and since then the native quarter has
been modernized in French fashion.
The *=Harbour=, which has been so improved of late years as to rival
that of Algiers, consists of three basins. The _Petite Darse_ (Pl. B, C,
3), 27 acres in area, the old inner harbour, lies near the
railway-stations and the mouth of the _Seybouse_; the _Grande Darse_
(Pl. C, D, 3, 2; formerly the outer harbour), 170 acres in area, is a
new basin between the _Môle Cigogne_ (Pl. C, 3) and the small creek of
_Grenouillère_ (sea-baths); the _Avant-Port_ is a new outer basin of
nearly 100 acres adjoining the _Pointe du Lion_. The outer entrance to
the harbour, 270 yds. wide, between the _Jetée du Lion_, 1200 yds. long,
and the _Jetée Sud_ (Pl. C, D, 4, 3), 1800 yds. long, is difficult of
access during N. or N.E. gales. The inner entrances, through the _Jetée
Babayaud_ and at the _Môle Cigogne_ (see above), are only 77 yds. wide.
The Quai Nord (Pl. B, C, 3) in the Petite Darse is for the large French
passenger-steamers, the Quai Ouest (Pl. B, 3) for phosphate, and the
Quai Sud (Pl. B, C, 4) for the iron-ore from the mine near Aïn-Daliah
(p. 303). Adjoining the last quay and bordering the new reclaimed lands
(82 acres) is the new _Quai aux Phosphates_ (Pl. C, D, 3, 4), to be used
for the phosphate depots and for the Ouenza iron ores (comp. p. 314).
The broad COURS JÉRÔME-BERTAGNA (Pl. B, 2, 3; formerly _Cours
National_), the main street of the town, with the pretty grounds of the
‘Square’, skirts the W. side of the native quarter.
To the W., in the European quarter, are the covered _Marché_ (Pl. B, 2),
the interesting _Fondouk_ (Pl. 1, A 2; native market), and, in the Boul.
des Jujubiers, the _Marché aux Grains_ (Pl. A, 3).
Outside the W. gates, Porte des Karézas (Pl. A, 3) and Porte Randon (Pl.
A, 1), are the _Marché aux Bestiaux_ (Pl. A, 2; Thurs.) and the grounds
of the SQUARE RANDON (Pl. A, 2).
The NATIVE QUARTER, where also the Jews reside, is intersected by the
Rue St. Augustin (Pl. B, C, 2).
From the Boul. Victor-Hugo (Pl. B, C, 2), on the N. side of this
quarter, we may mount in 10 min. to the =Colline de la Kasba=, or
_Colline des Santons_ (358 ft.), crowned by the _Kasba_ (Pl. C, D, 1; no
admittance). The pine-clad slope is skirted by the pretty _Boul. des
Caroubiers_ (Pl. C, D, 2, 1).
A beautiful walk may be taken from the Porte des Caroubiers (Pl. D, 1)
on the busy *=Chemin de la Corniche=, round the E. side of the _Batterie
du Lion_, always skirting the shore and passing many villas with
luxuriant gardens. It leads to the N.W. to the suburb of (2½ M.) _St
Cloud-les-Plages_, on the _Baie des Caroubiers_, with its sea-baths (p.
309). In clear weather a pleasant drive may be taken past the little
_Baie des Corailleurs_ and the old _Fort Génois_ to (7 M.) the _Cap de
Garde_. At the _Semaphore_ (519 ft.), above the lighthouse, we enjoy a
delightful view of the bay.
From the _Faubourg Ste. Anne_ (Pl. A, 1) a hill-road with fine views,
but almost shadeless as far as the (5 M.) _Col des Chacals_ (1578
ft.), ascends in windings to (9 M.) =Bugeaud= (2809 ft.; Hôt. Fuster,
Hôt. Kittler, Hôt. Cronstadt, etc.), a favourite summer resort,
beautifully situated among woods of cork-oaks. In clear weather the
*Panorama from (1½ hr.) _Kef Seba_ (3307 ft.), the summit of Mt.
Edough, embraces the whole coast from the bay of Stora (p. 128) to the
Kroumirie (p. 326).
The dusty Route de Constantine (Pl. A, 4) leads through the S. town-gate
to a (12 min.) _Bridge_ the foundations of which are Roman, spanning the
_Oued Boudjimah_ (p. 309). Between this brook and the _Seybouse_, whose
mouth once lay farther to the S.E. and was used as a harbour, extended
the site of =Hippo Regius= (p. 309). The road straight on, beyond the
bridge, leads to the (ca. 5 min.) _Fortin_, which together with the
castle-hill (see below) formed the nucleus of the Roman town. Here once
lay the Roman villa quarter. Excavations in the former _Jardin
Chevillot_ (adm. 50 c.), now belonging to the town, have brought to
light several Roman columns and mosaics (Apollo and the Muses, Triumph
of Amphitrite, etc.), the foundations of a small early-Christian
basilica, and notably a fragment of wall, about 22 yds. long, composed
of enormous blocks of granite, 10–13 ft. long, 39 in. thick, and 27 in.
high. This last is probably the oldest and most interesting specimen of
Phœnician building in Barbary. In the adjoining property of _Mme.
Dufour_ part of the foundations of a Roman villa and superb mosaics have
been laid bare. Among the latter are a very lifelike representation of a
hunt, fishing-scenes, houses of a town, etc. (admission kindly granted).
Of the _Ancient Theatre_ a few steps only now exist.
To the right, just beyond the Boudjimah bridge (see above), diverges the
Chemin de Beleliéta, whence after 9 min. a fine road leads to the right
to the old CASTLE HILL (181 ft.). On its slope lie the _Roman Cisterns_
of Hippo, resembling in plan those of Bordj el-Djedid (p. 350), but
modernized in 1893 for the waterworks of Bona (small fee for
admittance). As Lalla Bouna, a famous saint, is supposed to have been
buried here, the spot attracts Mohammedan pilgrims on Fridays, when they
may be seen picturesquely grouped round the bronze _Statue of St.
Augustine_ (1843).
The castle-hill is crowned with the handsome _Basilica of St.
Augustine_, founded by Card. Lavigerie (p. 346), and built by Abbé
Pougnet in 1885–1900 in a semi-Oriental style, on the model of the
cathedral of Carthage (p. 347).
The INTERIOR is unfinished. Over the high-altar is preserved a
highly-revered relic of St. Augustine, whose bones were carried in
496, during the Vandal period, by fugitive Catholic bishops to
Sardinia, whence they were removed to Pavia by the Longobard king
Liutprand in 722. In front of the church we have a fine view of the
coast, with its dunes, as far as Cape Rosa (p. 131).
From Bona to _St. Charles_ (_Constantine_), see p. 303; to
_Souk-Ahras_, see R. 49; to _Tunis_, see R. 51.
49. From Constantine or Bona viâ Duvivier to Souk-Ahras (_Tebessa_,
_Tunis_).
FROM CONSTANTINE TO SOUK-AHRAS, 134 M., railway in 7–9¼ hrs. (24 fr.
30, 17 fr. 35 c., 13 fr.). Change at Duvivier. Railway Restaurants at
Le Khroub, Duvivier, and Souk-Ahras.
FROM BONA TO SOUK-AHRAS, 66½ M., railway in 3¼–5¼ hrs. (11 fr. 95, 8
fr. 55, 6 fr. 40 c.).
_Constantine_, and thence to (101 M.) _Duvivier_, see p. 297 and R.
48.—From _Bona_ to (34½ M.) _Duvivier_, see pp. 309, 308.
We cross the _Seybouse_ and follow the narrow dale of the _Oued Melah_
to the S.E., with its fine growth of underwood. 107½ (or 40½) M.
_Medjez-Sfa_ (476 ft.); the village (758 ft.) lies to the right, on the
Souk-Ahras road. We then mount to (113 or 46 M.) _Aïn-Tahamimine_ (about
1100 ft.), with its eucalyptus groves.
The finest part of the line lies between this point and Laverdure. We
cross the ravine of the _Oued Cherf_ by a viaduct. 116 (or 49) M.
_Aïn-Affra_ (1739 ft.). We ascend the hill-side to the N.E., partly
through plantations of young cork-trees and underwood, and then on the
crest of the hill turn sharply back to the S.W. Below lies the line just
traversed. At several points we obtain a splendid view of the distant
hills of the _Beni Salah_ (p. 308). Among the cork-trees appear the
first evergreen oaks.
124 (or 57) M. _Laverdure_ (2369 ft.). The village (2526 ft.; Hôt.
Arena; Hôt. Raschiero), 1 M. to the W., on the Souk-Ahras road, with its
woods and beautiful views, attracts summer visitors.
To the left appears _Jebel Mahabouba_ (4144 ft.), often snow-clad in
winter. Passing through woods of cork and evergreen oak, fringes of the
_Forêt de Fedj el-Makta_, we come to the _Col de Fedj el-Makta_
(tunnel), the watershed between the Seybouse and the Medjerda (p. 325).
127 (or 60) M. _Aïn-Sennour_ (2552 ft.). The forest-zone is succeeded by
a region of meadows, fields, and vineyards. To the left we sight the
bare mountains to the N. of Souk-Ahras.
134 (or 66½) M. =Souk-Ahras.=—_Railway Restaurant._—HOTELS. _Hôtel
d’Orient_, in the market-place, with good restaurant, R., déj., D., 2½
fr. each, pens. 7½ omn. 1 fr., quite good; _Hôt. de l’Univers_,
similar charges; _Hôt. de France_.—_Café de Marseille_, in the
market-place.
_Souk-Ahras_ (2297 ft.; pop. 9000) lies very prettily in a lofty,
undulating plain enclosed by distant hills. It is a rapidly rising
place, with quite a European aspect, and is one of the pleasantest
provincial towns in Algeria. It dates only from 1852, when it was
founded as a convenient centre for roads radiating to Constantine, Bona,
and La Calle, and as a mart for the phosphates of Tebessa (p. 315). It
stands on the site of _Thagaste_, the birthplace of St. Augustine (p.
310), who mentions it with affection in his Confessions. At the foot of
the old castle-hill, an excellent point of view, are placed a few
antiquities from Khamissa (see below). Cattle-breeding and vine-culture
are the chief industries in the environs.
The EXCURSION TO KHAMISSA, about 23 M. from Souk-Ahras, is best made
by motor-car as far as Ksar Tifech and thence on mule-back. We follow
the Sedrata highroad to the S.W., soon crossing the _Medjerda_ (p.
325). About halfway we enter the _Plaine de Tifech_, watered by the
Oued Tifech and once fertile and populous. We then reach the _Ksar
Tifech_ (3150 ft.), on the slope of _Jebel Tifech_ (3609 ft.), with
the ruins of a Byzantine fortress, the most considerable relic of the
Numidian _Tipasa_. Thence we ride to the N.W., in the direction of the
ancient Roman road, to *=Khamissa= or _Khemissa_ (3084 ft.; no inn),
the interesting site of the Roman _Thubursicum Numidarum_, one of the
oldest and most important towns in Inner Numidia. It lies on a hill
high above the valley of the Medjerda, which rises a little to the
N.W. on the _Râs el-Alia_ (4321 ft.). Among the ruins may be noted the
_S.E. Gate_, a triumphal arch with a single passage, on the Tipasa
road; near it, the underground _Columbarium_ (hypogæum); the
_Thermae_; and also, in the Platea Vetus, the chief square in the E.
quarter of the town, an unfinished _Roman Temple_ besides other
buildings. On the crest of the hill we come upon the foundations of a
_Byzantine Basilica_ and a small _Byzantine Fortress_ (‘Ksar
el-Kebîr’). On the N. hill-side is the _Roman Theatre_, with its
fairly preserved stage-building (comp. p. 293). The _Forum_, on the W.
margin of the hill, and a _Triumphal Arch_ with three passages were
afterwards incorporated with a second _Byzantine Fortress_. All around
are extensive _Burial Grounds_, some of them with rock-tombs.
From Souk-Ahras to _Tebessa_, see R. 50; to _Tunis_, see R. 51.