Volubilis is an archaeological site of ruins of the Roman settlement and
situated near Meknes between Fez and Rabat. It is the is the best preserved
Roman site in Morocco and covers an area of about 100 acres. In the 3rd century
BC Volubilis was a central city of Roman administration. It had probably around
20,000 inhabitants at its most. This regions land is some of the most fertile
in North Africa, and the Volubilis exported wheat, olives and wild animals
hunted in the hills to Rome. The Berber tribes stopped the Romans from entering
the Atlas mountains.Volubilis was later briefly to become the capital of Idris
I, founder of the Idrisid dynasty, who is buried at nearby Moulay
Idris.Volubilis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The mosaics at Volubilis are what makes this site so spectacular, about 30 of them are in a great shape. There is a small campsite near the ruins but since most of the site can be covered in one day it might just be better to move on to the next destination. From the ruins you can see the some of blue and white houses nestled in Rif Mountains that make up the nearby town of Moulay Idriss You can spend the night also at a nearby city Moulay Idriss. . An impressive section is Victory arch, which was built in 217 AD in honor of the Emperor Caracalla, It is facing towards the main entry route to Volubilis and was restored in 1962. The main structures are the Forum flanked by a basilica and the Capitol. The Decumanus Maximus is the main street, at the end of which is the Triumphal Arch. On one side of the street is the Forum, with many Roman columns still standing. Volubilis is certainly one the best examples of a Roman city in existance today. If you are visiting Fes for more than a few days then it is a must. The ruins of the town were damaged by the Lisbon earthquake in 1755. You can get there by car or Grand taxi from Meknes or Fes.
