The north gate, though half buried in the sand, is the most finely decorated. The five arches of which it is made up rest on columns with lavish Corinthian capitals. Friezes of fine sculptures follow the line of the architecture. An impression of richness, almost of luxuriance, is created using very sober means. The chipped cornices, the edges of the acanthuses and of the sculpted rosettes, the carved and broken blocks, all have the glint of rose crystal.
Strong buttresses support the defensive wall on the inside.
Made of big blocks well bonded together, they allow room for a vaulted passage to serve as a curtain. Two arches create an effect of alternating light and shade and the whole is bathed in a rose-colored glow. Of the city itself, there remains only two or three buildings that can be identified and deserve the attention of the ordinary visitor. These thousands of holes are the work of generations of shameless treasure-seekers Church remains From the north gate, the Via Recta formed the main thoroughfare of the city. Lining it on either side there are still blocks of marble, the broken stumps of pillars and chunks of wall from the past.