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Volubilis, ancient Roman ruins in Morocco

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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 . Volubilis, Morocco 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, ov...

Meknes, imperial city of Morocco

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Meknès is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and the second stop on our train trip around the country . Its name derives from a Berber tribe, the Miknasa, and it was the capital of the country under the emperor Mpulay Ismail ibn Sharif between the 17th and 18th centuries. Graffiti in the Medina of Meknes Surrounded by a green and historically rich territory, the city is smaller and less famous than Fez , Rabat and Marrakech, but it has the advantage of not being crowded by the flow of tourists hence it has a more authentic feel. Immediately outside the ancient walls of the Medina there is a square reminiscent of the Jaama el Fna of Marrakech: it's Place el-Hedim. Vendors, storytellers, games, shows and attractions take place here all day long: it is a busy and vibrant place, you can enjoy the coming and going of people comfortably seated in one of the restaurants and bars overlooking the square. But, as in all crowded places, keep an eye on your wallet and be ...

Morocco: craftsmanship and heritage

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If there is one thing that really impressed me during our trip along Morocco, other than the natural beauty of this country, is the richness and variety of their traditional craftsmanship. From ceramics to carpets, from embroidery to leather, from copper to jewelry, Morocco is home to extremely skilled artisans with centuries of history and traditions passed through generations. Moroccan door Mosaic Carpet at Dar Si Said, Marrakech The beauty of their work of art is visible in the many buildings you will visit across the country, in the medersas and in the kasbahs, in the traditional riads and dars as well as in the mosques. The elaborated stuccos, the finely decorated wooden ceilings and doors and the complicated mosaics that colour the floors are all astonishing examples of the mastery of these artisans. Medersa Bou Inania, Fes Bahia Palace, Marrakech And even today, most of the souvenirs stalls and shops in the souks will offer you ple...

Morocco by train

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Traveling around Morocco by train is an excellent option. Although the railway network is not extremely developed and some destinations may be impossible to reach, the main cities are well connected and trains are frequent, reliable and comfortable. Our baggages in Fes train station. To avoid too much driving we have decided to move by train during this trip and we found this was the perfect choice for us. Indeed, while visiting the biggest towns, most distances can be covered on foot or by taxi (a cheap transport method in Morocco), so we would definitely recommend to avoid renting a car as this will save you money and the stress of driving in the local traffic and looking for parking. The railway system covers the connections between the most important cities. We traveled from Fes to Meknès , then to Rabat and last but not least, to Marrakech . Casablanca and Tangier are also well connected with the first high speed train introduced in Morocco in 2018. Marrakech tr...