A Roman grid town preserved on the high plains
Timgad was founded around 100 CE by the emperor Trajan as a colony for army veterans, and it is one of the best examples of Roman town planning anywhere. Its square grid of paved streets, lined with columns, still runs across the site, crossed by the decumanus and cardo. Trajan's Arch, with its three openings, stands at the western end, and the theatre, forum, library and baths remain. Nearby Batna is the usual base, and the Roman town of Djémila lies further north.