Simitthus

The site of ancient Simitthus (a name of Berber origin), on which so far little excavation has been carried out, lies at the foot of the hill. Situated as it was at an important road intersection, it developed rapidly; its real importance, however, lay in the surrounding marble quarries.

The Baths, like the rest of the city, were supplied with water by an aqueduct which conveyed it from a spring 30km/20mi away. 2km/1.25mi north is a cistern with a capacity of 15,000liters/3300gallons.

On the east side of the town is the amphitheater, northwest of which is another cistern.

To the south of the town, lying partly in the river Medjerda and partly on its banks, are the massive remains of a Roman bridge which collapsed during a flood in the fourth century. Immediately adjoining the bridge are the remains of a water-driven corn-mill, into which the water was directed through narrow channels. There is a model of the mill in the site museum.