This is by far the most imposing Roman monument of Africa; its huge, round shape rises from the desert plain and can be seen from a great distance, especially as the town that grew around the monument is made up of low-lying buildings.

It is also one of the best conserved buildings of its kind, despite all the vicissitudes it encountered over the centuries, in particular when it was bombarded with cannon balls at the end of the XVIIth century in an attempt to dislodge a rebel tribe that had sought refuge within, and which provoked a large breach in the side of the building.

The monument is almost elliptical and measures 149m long by 124 wide and 36 m high. The tiers of seats, which had disappeared and have now been partially reconstructed, could accommodate up to 30,000 spectators, ranking it 7th after those of Rome, Capua, Milan, Autun, Verona and Carthage. The arena measures 65m along its longest axis, and has two large underground galleries crossing it, through which actors, wild beasts and machinery could pass and wait in two series of eight underground cells.

For a long time it had no other role than that of a historical monument but in the last two decades the El Jem coliseum has served to host the symphonic music festival in summer as well as other artistic events.