Traveling to Morocco- visiting the Volubilis ruins

In the summer of 2023 my boyfriend David and I traveled to Paris, Belgium and Morocco. It was our first overseas trip together, and his first trip across an ocean. Being a French teacher, I have learned and taught about Morocco, so it was thrilling for me to finally make it there. For David, he didn’t know what to expect, and it was a bit out of his comfort level. That is until we arrived, met our guide Abdoul (using Morocco Bucket List Tours) and explored the beautiful blue city of Chefchaouen. We were immediately enamored with Morocco. Something I was NOT expecting to see were the Roman ruins of Volubis, but they were amazing! Keep reading to learn more about traveling to Morocco- visiting the Volubilis ruins.

History of Volubilis

Founded in the 3rd century BC, Volubilis was an outpost of the Roman Empire. In fact, it was the furthest south the Roman’s ever went. It was occupied for ten centuries, and at one point around 20,000 people lived here. The population including Romans (mostly retired soldiers) and Berber people who lived here first, but became slaves of the Romans. At one point, it encompassed 100 acres with 1.6 miles of walls surrounding it.

Volubilis hit its peak in the second century. This is when it had its highest population, and also when it gained a basilica, temple and triumphal arch. It prospered thanks to the olives and wheat grown here, as evidenced through the many mills that were found. There were also many fine townhouses with beautiful mosaic floors. 50 villas have been discovered, though there is still much of the site that remains uncovered.

Capitoline Temple

The Capitoline Temple was dedicated to the Roman Emperor Macrinus, and paid homage to the trinity of Roman gods (Juno, Jupiter and Minerva). In addition, the temple would be used by council to make declarations of war. Today the columns sitting atop the steps made for an impressive way to look over the ruins of Volubilis.

It was incredible walking around the ruins and imagining how it looked a thousand years ago. And it’s really not hard to imagine because there are so many partially intact things here. Volubilis had a main thoroughfare, an aqueduct, and bathhouses. Its amazing seeing things like sewer grates, hinges and a mill.

Volubilis Basilica

The basilica of Volubilis overlooked the central market area. The buildings and arches were made from limestone, quarried from the local mountains. The basilica was used for administration of justice. Though now only pillars remain, they would have been topped with statues. Nearby, memorial stones with inscriptions dot the ground.

Triumphal Arch

The Triumphal Arch was built in 217 by the city’s governor to honor the emperor Caracalla, who hailed from North Africa (though he was murdered before the Arch was completed). It was reconstructed in 1930-34 by the French (you know they love an Arc de Triomphe), but is incomplete, as evidenced by the fragments laying nearby on the ground.

Volubilis Mosaics

Perhaps the most incredible part of the ruins of Volubilis are the mosaics that are still intact. The mosaic tiles show the wealth that existed in this community. It is amazing that they are still intact and in some cases very colorful. Hopefully they stay this way, despite being under the sun. Some of the tile designs are of animals, including some that once were in the area- like lions- that were sent to Rome to fight against the gladiators, creating their extinction here.

Some of the mosaics depict Roman Gods and mythology. One mosaic shows the Four Seasons, while another depicts Bacchus encountering Ariadne asleep. Another mosaic shows Diana and her nymph who were surprised during their bath by Actaeon. In this mosaic, Actaeon is starting to sprout horns as punishment (he was turned into a stag).

The fall of Volubilis

Volubilis was abandoned in the 11th century, when the fall of the Roman Empire was beginning and Volubilis was too far to justify keeping it. The Romans had just gotten too greedy, wanting too much, and taking more than they could actually handle. Later, the area was occupied by the Berbers, then was a Christian community, and finally was an early Islamic settlement. That settlement, however, moved to the nearby mountains. The town of Moulay Idris with its beautiful white buildings were the site of where the Idris dynasty began- this is who brought Islam to Morocco.

The ruins pf Volubilis remained intact until they were devastated by an earthquake in the mid 18th century. During French rule the site was excavated, partially rebuilt and the mosiacs uncovered. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and is open for visitors. When we visited, we had a guide who took us around and gave us all the history and stories about Volubilis, and it was a great way to see the ruins. The admission price is about $7 and it is open every day from 8:30 am until an hour before sunset.

Thanks for reading my blog about traveling to Morocco- visiting the ruins of Volubilis. Be able to check out my other blog about Morocco- the blue city of Chefchaouen. Have you been to Morocco? Do you have any suggestions for future ideas, or request for blog posts? Let me know in the comments below. Catch you soon!

-Catching Katie