First published: 01/01/10.

Els Slots 3.5

Volubilis

Volubilis (Inscribed)

Volubilis by Els Slots

Volubilis has all the works of an ancient Roman city: forum, triumphal arch, capitol, basilica, baths, private houses. Only about half of the site has been excavated. A theatre has not been found yet, but it must be somewhere. At least that is what I heard from a loudmouthed German guide that commanded his group like a visiting troop. The site is very popular with tour groups in general, but it is large enough to take them in.

The two best things about Volubilis are its setting and its mosaics. The ruins lie on a fertile plain that is still used for growing olive trees. Come to think of it - the area could have been enlisted as a cultural landscape, especially because the nomination file elaborately points out the site's history before and after the Romans ("from prehistory continuously through to the Islamic period"). The neighbouring pilgrimage town of Moulay Idriss is on the Tentative List and directly connected to Volubilis too.

Lots of the mosaics are in pretty bad repair. They are out in the open air and tormented by the elements day after day (scorching heat, heavy rains). Often they are 'just' patterns that cover the floor of a private house. Some more artistic ones display the Labours of Hercules and an athlete jumping on a horse.

The entrance fee to the site is 10 dirham. A visit will take about 1.5-2 hours. There's no public transport directly to Volubilis, but Grand Taxi's will find you either in Meknes (33km) or Moulay Idriss (3km).

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