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| Volubilis, Morocco |
In a fertile plain at the foot of the
Atlas Mountains, not far from the imperial cities of
Fez and
Meknes is the best known and best preserved archaeological site in
Morocco: the ancient Roman city of
Volubilis.
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| Volubilis, Morocco |
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| Volubilis, Morocco |
Founded by Carthaginian merchants, the site, not yet fully brought to light (it is estimated that 2/3 of the Roman outpost are still buried under mounds of earth) is so fascinating and precious especially for a reconstruction of the extension of the Roman empire in the land of Africa that Unesco has included it among the heritages of humanity.
The most impressive ruins at first glance are undoubtedly the Basilica and the Capitol (dedicated to the Capitoline triad Jupiter, Juno and Minerva) with the columns that hover towards the sky, sometimes surmounted by large and overflowing stork nests, the Arch of Triumph erected in honor of Caracalla and his mother in 217 AD. C. and the Decumano maximo, overlooked by the ruins of some domus.
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| Volubilis, Morocco |
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| Volubilis, Morocco |
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| Volubilis, Morocco |
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| Volubilis, Morocco |
But here the real treasures are hidden from hasty glances: it is necessary to explore all the ruins and walls and look out to discover the magnificent mosaics, most of which are figurative and colored, the work of skilled craftsmen.
The House of Orpheus, so called because in the dining room is depicted Orpheus who enchants animals with his lyre, the Acrobat House, where an athlete who has just won a competition is represented jump of the bull, the House of Ephebe, where a mosaic depicts Bacchus on a cart pulled by panthers, the House of Labors of Hercules, the House of the Nymphs in the bathroom and that of Dionysus and the four seasons ... the list is very long and it is better for you not to spoil the surprise!
Enough to say that even if you are not a fan of the genre, the visit cannot leave you indifferent! It is also possible to visit the remains of the house of Juba II enriched by two mosaics representing the Rat of Ila by the nymphs and the Bath of Diana, with the goddess Artemis who is furious with Actaeon who observed her while bathing.
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| Mosaic in Volubilis, Morocco |
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| Mosaic in Volubilis, Morocco |
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| Mosaic in Volubilis, Morocco |
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| Mosaic in Volubilis, Morocco |
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| Mosaic in Volubilis, Morocco |
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| Mosaic in Volubilis, Morocco |
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| Mosaic in Volubilis, Morocco |
The visit will cause you genuine amazement in the face of the engineering wisdom of the ancient Romans, for the skill in the construction of the sewage and water network and of the heating techniques useful for operation of the baths of Gallieno.
You will wander among the ruins (heavily damaged by the terrible earthquake that razed Lisbon in 1755) and you will be transported to 40 AD, among the mills, the capitol, the basilica, the forum, the Arc de Triomphe and, above all the remains of the amazing mosaics of the patrician houses.
There are also many mills and oil mills that testify the important agricultural production activity of the surrounding countryside.
TIPS:
1. Getting to Volubilis from Meknes is not difficult. You can take a bus (info can be found online), but I suggest you to take a shared taxi as this is a more comfortable and faster option and fares are cheap. To do so, go to the grand taxi station across from the French Institute in Meknes, approximately half a kilometer west of the Gare Al Amir Abdul Kader train station. Depending on your location you'll be able to walk there or to take a "petit taxi" (those that cover the city routes). The Grand Taxis can take you both to Moulay Idriss or to Volubilis. The drivers will wait to fill their car and will then leave. You will find taxis as well on the way back, out of Volubilis and in the taxi station in Moulay Idriss
2. We visited in November and we were caught by a horrible rainy day but we enjoyed the visit nonetheless. If possible, though, I'd suggest you to avoid the hottest months and possibly visit the site in early Autumn or Spring.
3. Many guides and websites suggest to stop for a visit to Moulay Idriss and we did it, but honestly, we did not see the point. The mosque cannot be visited inside, and if you try to reach the top of the village to enjoy the view, you will be approached by people offering themselves as guides and asking you for money. So, despite the religious value of this town, it doesn't require more than half an hour walk to be explored, in our opinion.
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