Haidra

Governorate: Kasserine

Altitude: 900m/2,950ft

Situation and characteristics

The site of ancient Ammaedara lies at a height of 900m/2,950ft near the Algerian frontier. The present frontier village of Haidra dates only from the end of the Second World War.

History

The Berber settlement of Ammaedara, strategically situated on the main roads between Carthage and Hadrumetum (Sousse) on the one hand and between Carthage and Theveste (Tébessa) on the other, was taken over by the Romans, who established a military camp here, later to develop into a considerable town. From the time of Augustus the famous Third Legion Augusta was stationed here to protect the frontiers of the province of Africa. In the reign of Vespasian the troops were moved farther west to Theveste, and Ammaedara became a colony of veterans under the style of Colonia Flavia Augusta Emerita Ammaedara.

Ammaedara is recorded in Byzantine times as the see of a bishop, and the town was involved in the conflict with the Donatists. Around 540 a powerful Byzantine fortress was built. The reasons for the town's later decline are unknown. Because of its frontier situation there were recurrent plans to rebuild the fortress, and in 1840 the north wall was re-erected. Excavation of the site began in 1883 and has not yet been completed.

Access

GP 17 (Le Kef-Kasserine). Turn off at the mining town of Kalaa Khasba (formerly called Kalaa Djerda) into GP 4, which leads west towards the Algerian frontier and in 18km/11mi comes to Haidra. Kalaa Khasba is the terminus of a railroad line from Tunis; irregular bus services from there to Haidra.