in Tipaza Province, Algeria
Royal Mausoleum of Mauritania
Also known as the Tomb of the Christian Woman, this enormous circular mausoleum dates to around 3 BC. Built in the Berber tradition with Hellenistic influences, the 33-meter structure likely housed Berber King Juba II and Queen Cleopatra Selene II.
The Royal Mausoleum of Mauritania — widely known as the Tomb of the Christian Woman (Kbour er Roumia in Arabic, meaning roughly "tomb of the Roman woman") — is one of Algeria's most distinctive pre-Islamic monuments and one of the largest ancient funerary structures in North Africa. Situated approximately 60 kilometres west of Algiers on the coastal plateau near Cherchell in Tipaza Province, the mausoleum dominates its hilltop setting and is visible from considerable distances across the surrounding olive groves.
The structure dates to around the 1st century BC and is attributed on the basis of historical sources and architectural analysis to the Berber-Mauretanian royal couple: King Juba II and his wife Cleopatra Selene II, daughter of Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII of Egypt. Standing approximately 33 metres high and 60 metres in diameter, the building is circular in form — a shape rooted in Berber funerary tradition — while its carved frieze of engaged pilasters reflects Hellenistic and Roman stylistic influence, a synthesis characteristic of the cosmopolitan court culture of Mauretanian Caesarea (modern Cherchell).
Visitors approach the monument along a path through the olive grove, arriving at the base of the drum where the scale of the construction becomes immediately apparent. The exterior is built from large dressed limestone blocks, and the engaged columns running around the circumference give the structure a rhythmic visual texture. Access to the interior burial chambers is restricted, and visits are confined to the exterior; the full circumference can be walked in a leisurely circuit of about 15 to 20 minutes. The setting in low scrub and olive trees, with distant views toward the Mediterranean, contributes to the monument's solemnity.
Given the mausoleum's position on the coastal road (RN11) between Algiers and Cherchell, it is a natural pairing with visits to the Tipaza Roman ruins — a UNESCO World Heritage Site approximately 30 kilometres to the east — and the Cherchell museum. Together these three sites form one of Algeria's most rewarding archaeological day excursions from Algiers. The monument is protected as a national cultural heritage site by Algeria.
Hours: Daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Best for: history enthusiasts, archaeologists, photographers
Location
Near Cherchell, Tipaza Province, Algeria
36.6042, 2.2003 — View on map
Highlights
- Massive circular funerary monument approximately 33 metres high and 60 metres in diameter
- Attributed to Berber King Juba II and Queen Cleopatra Selene II, circa 1st century BC
- Distinctive fusion of Berber tumulus tradition with Hellenistic and Roman decorative elements
- Hilltop setting with views over olive groves toward the Mediterranean
- Natural pairing with Tipaza UNESCO site and Cherchell museum on a coastal archaeological itinerary
Tips
- Combine with Tipaza and Cherchell visits
- Impressive from exterior (interior not accessible)
- Set in olive groves with sea views
- Good stop on coastal road west of Algiers
FAQ
Is the interior of the mausoleum accessible to visitors?
The interior burial chambers are not open to public entry. Visitors experience the monument from its exterior, walking the full circumference, which takes around 15 to 20 minutes.
How long does a visit take?
The site itself takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Most travellers combine it with Tipaza and Cherchell to make a full-day archaeological itinerary from Algiers.
Is photography allowed at the monument?
Outdoor photography is unrestricted at the monument. The best compositions use the framing of the olive trees alongside the monument's curved exterior, particularly at low sun angles in the morning or late afternoon.
Accessibility
The approach path to the monument is unpaved and traverses slightly uneven ground across the hillside; it is manageable for most visitors but presents difficulty for wheelchair users. The monument's circumference can be partially circuited at ground level. No formal accessibility facilities are present at the site.
When to visit
Morning light from the east illuminates the monument's textured exterior stonework effectively. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for visiting the Tipaza Province coast. The mausoleum is rarely crowded; early morning offers the best chance of having the site to oneself.