Gightis
A Roman port town on the Gulf of Gabes, once the terminus of trans-Saharan trade routes.
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Gightis stands on the Gulf of Bou Grara opposite Djerba, a Punic settlement that became a Roman town and served as the Mediterranean end of caravan routes bringing gold, ivory and slaves across the Sahara. The forum with its paving and column bases is the best-preserved part, along with temples, baths, a market and a harbour mole. It is little visited, which means the site is usually empty apart from the caretaker.
What you actually see
- The forum - the paved square with column bases and surrounding buildings.
- The temples - the shrines around the forum including one to Serapis.
- The harbour remains - the mole and port structures on the gulf.
- The trade context - the town's role as the Mediterranean end of caravan routes.
When to go
October to April is comfortable; summer on this coast is very hot. Mornings are best. The site is usually deserted.
Honest expectations
The site is modest and an hour or two covers it. There is no shade and no facilities. It is usually visited as a stop on the way to Djerba rather than on its own.
Nearby
Djerba is east across the gulf, and Medenine is south.
What to pack for Gightis
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
