Milevum, Roman city in Algeria
Milevum is a Roman city and archaeological site in northeastern Algeria, preserving the remains of a city that was part of the ancient province of Numidia. The ruins include walls, street layouts, and religious structures from several successive periods, covering Roman, Byzantine, and early Islamic occupation.
The site began as a Roman city in the province of Numidia, serving as a trading and administrative center. In the 7th century, Arab forces under Abu al-Muhajir Dinar took the city and built a mosque here, marking the beginning of a new era in its history.
The name Milevum comes from the Latin name given to the Roman settlement here and has remained in use ever since. Walking through the site, visitors can see streets, walls, and places of worship from different peoples layered on top of each other in the same space.
The site is not heavily set up for tourism, so visitors can move through the ruins at their own pace without crowds. Local guides are sometimes available on site and can help explain what each structure was originally used for.
The Sidi Ghanem Mosque, built on the grounds of the former Roman city around 675, is considered one of the oldest mosques in Algeria. It stands directly on top of the ancient settlement, meaning two very different eras meet at exactly the same spot.
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