Madghacen

Madghacen stands alone on open ground north-east of Batna, a circular stone drum about fifty-nine metres across and eighteen high, built in stepped courses and ringed by sixty engaged Doric columns with an Egyptian-influenced cornice above them. It is a royal Numidian mausoleum, generally dated to around the third century before the common era, which places it well before Roman rule and makes it one of the oldest standing monuments in the country. A short passage leads into a small burial chamber inside, entered by a low door. The mixture of Numidian form with Greek and Egyptian architectural detail is what makes it significant, and it stands almost unaltered.

What you actually see

• Sixty engaged Doric columns - the ring around the stone drum.
• A stepped circular tomb - the Numidian royal form.
• The inner burial chamber - reached by a low passage.
• Greek and Egyptian detail - the influences worked into the design.

When to go

October to May; the plain is very hot in summer with no shade. Two hours including the drive. Morning or late light is best on the stonework.

Honest expectations

It stands alone with no visitor facilities and no shade. The interior chamber is small, dark and sometimes closed. Interpretation is minimal. Getting there needs a car; public transport does not serve it.

Nearby

Batna is south-west; Timgad lies east.