Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania — Tipasa
Tombeau de la Chretienne · Kbour er Roumia
Late Numidian–Mauretanian (25 BCE–23 CE)·Berber Mauretanian / Hellenistic Roman·🇩🇿 Tipaza Province, Algeria
About
About Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania — Tipasa
Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania (Kbour er Roumia) is the 32 m high Numidian–Mauretanian royal tomb 32 km W of Algiers on Sahel ridge 261 m with 60 columns (Ionic below, Doric above) and 4 false doors. Holds Juba II (25 BCE–23 CE) and Cleopatra Selene II (daughter of Cleopatra VII) — client kingdom of Rome. 80 m diameter truncated cone with square podium. UNESCO 1982 Tipasa extension. Sidi Rached commune, Route de la Mausolée. Internal spiral gallery leads to 2 vaulted chambers looted antiquity. Restored 19th c.
Why it mattersLargest royal mausoleum in Barbary combining Numidian bazina with Hellenistic tholos; Cleopatra Selene lineage marker.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Were Juba II and Selene actually interred or cenotaph?
- 02Why 60 columns vs Medracen 60 — intentional continuity
Theories
- 01Mausoleum as Augustan propaganda for client kingship (Roller)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.3 BCE (Juba II & Cleopatra Selene)
- Period
- Late Numidian–Mauretanian (25 BCE–23 CE)
- Culture
- Berber Mauretanian / Hellenistic Roman
- Builders
- Mauretanian royal architects under Juba II (Augustan client)
- Purpose
- Royal dynastic tomb for Juba II and Cleopatra Selene II
- Abandoned
- 40 CE assassination of Ptolemy of Mauretania
- Rediscovered
- 1555 Leo Africanus description; 19th c Berbrugger
- Excavation
- Excavated
3 BCE
Construction for Juba II
40 CE
Mauretania annexed by Caligula
1982
UNESCO World Heritage Tipasa 193 extension
On the ground
Structures & features
36.5752° N · 2.5529° E · 261 m · 3 mapped features
Ionic–Doric Colonnette Drum
colonnade60 engaged columns (Ionic lower, Doric-like upper) with 4 false doors oriented cardinal
36.5755° N · 2.5532° ESpiral Gallery & Vaulted Chambers
burial chamberSpiral gallery 80 m long 2 m wide leading to 2 looted vaulted chambers 4×3 m with niche
36.5750° N · 2.5528° ESahel Ridge Viewpoint (261 m)
viewpointHill 261 m panorama over Tipasa ruins and Algiers–Cherchell road
36.5758° N · 2.5525° E