Algeria
Tipasa
Tipasa is an archaeological site that resulted from the Punic and Roman civilizations.
It was founded by the Carthaginians as a port and trading centre. They left behind one of the most extensive cemeteries of the Phoenician world. The site also includes the Royal Mauritanian Mausoleum, a Numidian circular funerary monument. As a Roman colony, it gained many prestigious structures including Christian religious buildings.
Community Perspective: be aware that it has three components: one in town, where most of what you’ll see is of Late Roman origin including the remains of four basilicas. The other one east of it, is a scruffy graveyard (see Zoë’s review). And the third, the Numidian Mausoleum, lies 11km southeast of the main archaeological complex (see Solivagant’s review).
Site Info
Official Information
- Full Name
- Tipasa (ID: 193)
- Country
- Algeria
- Status
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Inscribed 1982
Site history
History of Tipasa
- WHS Type
- Cultural
- Criteria
- iii
- iv
Links
- UNESCO
- whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
- whc.unesco.org — whc.unesco.org/
Related Resources
- tipaza.typepad.fr — Musée de Tipasa
- en.wikipedia.org — Wikipedia on Tipasa
Community Information
- Community Category
- Archaeological site: Phoenician
- Secular structure: Military and Fortifications
Travel Information
Recent Connections
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Punic Empire
Criterion (iii): Tipasa bears exception… -
Queens and Empresses
Royal Mausoleum of Mauritania holds the… -
Cathedrals
Grand Basilica (former cathedral)See it…
Connections of Tipasa
- Geography
- History
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Byzantine Empire and Civilization
The Roman period is marked by a prestigious ensemble of buildings, comprising very diversified architectural typologies. From the 3rd to the 4th centuries A.D. a striking increase in Christianity is demonstrated by the multitude of religious buildings. Some are decorated with high quality mosaic pavings, illustrating scenes from daily life, or geometric patterns. The Vandal invasion of the 430's did not mark the definitive end of prosperity of Tipasa, but the town, reconquered by the Byzantines in 531, gradually fell into decline from the 6th century. (OUV) -
Phoenician world
Founded by the Phoenicians -
Berbers
"Tomb of the Chretienne". This is actually the tomb of Juba II a Numidian king of Berber stock -
Queens and Empresses
Royal Mausoleum of Mauritania holds the tomb of Cleopatra Selene IISee en.wikipedia.org
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Punic Empire
Criterion (iii): Tipasa bears exceptional testimony to the Punic and Roman civilizations now disappeared.
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- Architecture
- World Heritage Process
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On T List for a different nomination
When Tipasa was inscribed it was suggested that the nearby (12kms) Royal Mausoleum of the Mauritanean Kings also be included. A map of that tomb is on the UNESCO web site for Tipasa and some WHC "decisions" question whether the Tomb is to have a buffer zone so it appears to be "officially" included (though not mentioned in descriptions of Tipasa). It is however a part of the T List entry "Les Mausol -
Former In Danger List sites
2002-2006 -
Locations added by Advisory body
"Although ICOMOS supports the nomination .... it offers two suggestions ......that the large royal Mauritanian mausoleum known as Kbor er Roumia (the Tomb of the Christian) which is situated only a short distance from Tipasa be included in the nomination" (AB eval)
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- Religion and Belief
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Cathedrals
Grand Basilica (former cathedral)See it.wikipedia.org
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Nymphaeum
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Christian Pilgrimage Sites
Basilica of Saint Salsa
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- Human Activity
- Constructions
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Baths
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Tombs
Tomb of Saint Salsa -
Mausolea
Kbor er Roumia -
Roman amphitheatres
Roman amphitheatre -
Necropolises
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Theatres and Opera Houses
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- WHS on Other Lists
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World Monuments Watch (past)
(2000)
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- Timeline
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Built in the 6th century BC
Criterion (iv): "the contacts between the indigenous civilizations and the Punic and Roman waves of colonization between the 6th century B.C. and the 6th century A.D"
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- 18
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Works by Nobel Prize winning authors
"Noces a Tipasa" (1938) from the collection "Noces" and "Retour a Tipasa" (1952) from the collection "Ete" - Essays by Albert Camus. The site contains a commemorative stone with a quotation and his name partly erased (he was a pied noir).
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News
No news.
Recent Visitors
Reserved for members.Community Reviews
Show full reviews
I tend to "dig" Roman ruins and it's always a highlight on my travel plan. Algeria has a lot and most is quite nice, not so much Tipasa. On paper it sounds great: port town with many ruined buildings extending along the shoreline. The site is split into two parts. The larger one is in town surrounded by restaurant streets so parking is a bit of an issue plus there was road construction when I was visiting, so I went to the eastern graveyard first which has a parking lot (it's free although someone tried to get money as I was driving away which I think is just a scam?) and entrance is very cheap. It doesn't take long to see this area and I tried to explore more on the eastern edge of it but local drunkards that jump over the fence and hang around here (I have even seen them jump over it from the street) were harassing me so it's no wonder nobody else is making their way into the trees. This doesn't effect the rating but the site just doesn't have much to offer at this area.
The much better part is in town. You reach it through a small road off the main street and pay another ticket, can even hire a tour guide if you want although most will just speak French and Arabic. The site is quite extensive and worth the entry fee. It will take you an hour just to see …
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The North coast of Africa is well represented on the List with Roman ruins so, do those of Tipasa add anything? Well it has the normal range of buildings to be found in a Roman town – a theatre and amphitheatre, temples, a Cardo Maximus, villas, baths, nymphaeum etc etc. What perhaps sets Tipasa apart is its location on a couple of promontories in wooded countryside next to the Mediterranean.
This location had a profound impact on the young Albert Camus “Au printemps, Tipasa est habité par les dieux et les dieux parlent dans le soleil et l'odeur des absinthes, la mer cuirassée d'argent, le ciel bleu écru, les ruines couvernes de fleurs et la lumière à gros bouillons dans les amas de pierres. A certaines heures, la campagne est noire de soleil. ….. Je comprends ici ce qu'on appelle gloire : le droit d'aimer sans mesure”. A partial reading of the essay (in French), accompanied by a video of the site, can be found here
I make no claim of sympathy with (let alone total understanding of!!) Camus’s philosophy, nor to having any similar profound experience whilst there – but the site is certainly very pleasant to wander around and even, perhaps, to ruminate as he did on the absurdity of existence!! At the far western point of the site on the promontory beyond the Necropolis stands a stelum erected in his memory with the “Je comprends ici…” quote inscribed upon it …
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When I was a kid we lived in Algiers, and used to go out to Tipasa fairly often at the weekends. I remember very clearly wandering around the site - it's incredibly beautiful, right by the sea, and somehow timeless. The memories have stayed with me always, and the place holds s pecial meaning for me now. I'd love to return and someday, hopefully, I will.
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