Visiting the Roman Ruins at Volubilis, Morocco

One of the most interesting attractions we visited in Morocco was the ruins of Volubilis, a remote outpost of the Roman Empire.  Volubilis is situated in an area of rich farmland and the Romans took advantage of that to grow olives and grains.  A Berber community had existed here since the 3rd century BC, but the city began to thrive when the Romans occupied it from about 44 AD.  Volubilis grew rapidly under Roman rule from the 1st century AD onward and expanded to cover about 42 hectares (100 acres), with a 2.6 km (1.6 mi) circuit of walls.

(Ruins of the Basilica, Volubilis)

At its peak in the late 2nd century, it’s estimated Volubilis had around 20,000 inhabitants – a substantial population for a Roman provincial town.  The Romans abandoned the city around 285 AD, for reasons not entirely understood but likely related to the difficulty in defending it from attacks by local tribes.   Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1997), being “an exceptionally well-preserved example of a large Roman colonial town on the fringes of the Empire”.

(Note the fertile lands near the ruins of Volubilis)

Volubilis remained inhabited up until the 11th century when it was abandoned, when the last residents moved to nearby cities like Meknes and Fes.  The remains of the city were ransacked, and construction materials were carried south to the new imperial capital of Meknes.  Finally in 1755 an earthquake destroyed what was left of Volubilis (and also much of Lisbon, Portugal).

(The Tingis Gate, Volubilis)

Excavation and reconstruction of Volubilis was begun by the French as early as in the late 19th century some structures have been reconstructed like the Triumphal arch, the basilica and the Capitoline temple; still, more than half of Volubilis remains unexcavated.  The archaeological site is known for its beautiful, well-preserved mosaic floors.

The photo below was used as last weekend’s One Clue Mystery.  It was recognized by the incomparable George G.  Congratulations as always, George!

(One Clue Mystery Photo)

(Arch of Caracalla, Volubilis)

Volubilis is close to Meknes and Fes and is worth a diversion from visits to these cities to explore.  It takes only a few hours to get a good feel for the ruined city.

More photos of the ruins follow:

(ruins of the aqueduct along the city’s main road)

A sampling of the well-preserved floor mosaics the city is known for: