- Volubilis is an exceptionally well preserved Ruined Berber-Roman city, also known by its Berber name Walili. It is located near Meknes in Morocco.
- Volubilis was in the Province of Mauretania Tingitana. It is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
History
- Volubilis was founded in the 3rd century BCE as the capital of the Kingdom of Mauretania, which included the region from northern Morocco to Algeria.
- It became an important city under the Romans, until it was lost to the Berbers after 285 CE.
- It remained inhabited until the 10th century CE, at which point it was abandoned and its inhabitants moved to Fez. The city remained intact because it was so remote, which is why it is so well preserved.
- An earthquake devasted Volubilis during the 18th century CE, and some of the stone was reused to build the Palaces of nearby Meknes.
- Artefacts from Volubilis, especially mosaics, are on display in both the Volubilis Archeological Museum and the Rabat Museum of History and Civilisations.
Volubilis Roman City
- Visitors can walk through the city, as the street plan is intact, passing through the ruined buildings.
- Basilica (Macrinus (217-218 CE)
- Capitoline Temple
- Temple of Saturn
- Baths of Gallienus (253-268 CE)
- Two other Baths
- Arch of Caracalla (198-217 CE)
- holds a dedication to Caracalla which is readable
- Decumanus maximus and Tingis Gate
- House of Orpheus
- holds the Orpheus mosaic
- House of the Athlete
- holds a mosaic of an athlete riding a donkey backwards
- House of the Ephebe
- mosaic of Bacchus in a chariot drawn by leopards
- House of the Knight
- mosaic of Bacchus and Ariadne
- House of the Labours of Hercules
- mosaic of the Four Seasons
- House of Venus
- mosaic of Diana, Nymphs and Actaeon
- mosaic of chariots in the Hippodrome
- Gordian Palace with Colonnade and shops
Museums
- Volubilis Archeological Museum
- Located on the Site of Volubilis
- Rabat Museum of History and Civilisations
- Located at Rue El Brihi, Rabat.
- The museum holds an extensive collection of the archeological Finds from Morocco, including from the Roman Period.
Roman Roads
- Roman Road
- Volubilis-Tamouda-Tangier (Tingis)
Volubilis