Volubilis
The Archaeological Site of Volubilis encompasses the remains of a Roman city that was capital of
Mauritania Tingitana. It is notable for its high number of mosaic floors. Also, marble and bronze statues have been found.
The site was settled already in the 3rd century BC, before it was annexed by the Romans in about 40 AD. It has a favourable location, due to fertile grounds, for the cultivation of olives.
At its heyday, the city probably had 20.000 inhabitants. Most of its large monuments such as the triumphal arch and capitol date from the 2nd and 3rd century AD.
In 2008, the buffer zone of this WHS was extended to include the surrounding plain and mountains and the pilgrimage town of Moulay Idriss. The saint Idriss I had made Volubilis his home before founding Fez and Moulay Idriss.
Visit January 2010
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Volubilis has all the works of an ancient Roman city: forum, triumphal arch, capitol, basilica, baths, private houses. Only about half of the site has been excavated. A theatre has not been found yet, but it must be somewhere. At least that is what I heard from a loudmouthed German guide that commanded his group like a visiting troop. The site is very popular with tour groups in general, but it is large enough to take them in.
The two best things about Volubilis are its setting and its mosaics. The ruins lie on a fertile plain that is still used for growing olive trees. Come to think of it – the area could have been enlisted as a cultural landscape, especially because the nomination file elaborately points out the site’s history before and after the Romans (“from prehistory continuously through to the Islamic period”). The neighbouring pilgrimage town of Moulay Idriss is on the Tentative List and directly connected to Volubilis too.
Lots of the mosaics are in pretty bad repair. They are out in the open air and tormented by the elements day after day (scorching heat, heavy rains). Often they are “just” patterns that cover the floor of a private house. Some more artistic ones display the Labours of Hercules and an athlete jumping on a horse.
Entrance to the site is 10 dirham. A visit will take about 1.5-2 hours. There’s no public transport directly to Volubilis, but Grand Taxi’s will find you either in Meknes (33km) or Moulay Idriss (3km).
More photos can be found in the Picture Gallery
Reviews
Douglas Scully (USA):
Although much of much of Morocco is arid, Volubilis is located in a verdant landscape. I am sure that the city was put here because they could grow crops to sustain themselves. There are many mosaics made of black and white stones still in situ in the ruins. A rarity in this day when everything is moved to a museum. The remains of streets and houses is most interesting. There is also a magnificent marble memorial arch on the main street. It looks like the one shown in the movie 'Patton'. |
| Date posted: April 2006 |
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Wow, it is amazing. the mosaic are so intact, and quite a few buildings still standing. The olive oil mill is one of the best parts of the site |
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