It is a famous mountain village in Algeria, situated 900 meters above sea-level, Djemila is near the northern coast east of Algiers, where some of the best preserved Roman ruins in North Africa are found. Djemila means "beautiful one" in Arabic. It was recognized because of its unique adaptation of Roman architecture to a mountain environment.
The Roman ruins, particularly well preserved, organize themselves around the forum of the Harsh, a large paved square of which the entry is marked by a majestic arch. The city was initially resided by a colony of soldiers, and eventually grew to become a large trading market.
While the Roman ruin area in Djemila Algeria is not the largest but it is quite well preserved compared to other Roman ruin areas of Africa. The adjoining museum, is virtually packed with excellent mosaics, which have even been transported to national museums far away. Of the buildings around Djemila that needs an explanation, there is the Europe House, which has its name from a mosaic inside it. It is made up from 18 rooms around a courtyard, decorated by Ionic columns. Buildings present in Djemila Algeria, include a theatre, temples, basilicas, arches, streets, and houses. Substantial buildings include the Capitoline Temple of Jupiter, a triumphal arch, a forum, a library, a basilica, four bath houses and a 3,500-seat theater.
Interestingly, Muslim settlers never built over the city resulting in an excellent state of preservation. Located about 22 miles from the town of Batna, the city had a similar start as Djemila as a military colony that was later settled by Roman army veterans who received plots of land on retirement.
