Is Volubilis worth visiting?

Volubilis is a worthwhile destination all year round, and there is no bad time to visit. However, the summer months can get incredibly hot, and there is little protection from the sun in the ancient city.

Where is Volubilis located?

Morocco
Volubilis, North African archaeological site, located near Fès in the Jebel Zerhoun Plain of Morocco. Under the Mauretanian king Juba II in the 1st century bc and the 1st century ad, Volubilis became a flourishing centre of late Hellenistic culture.

What happened to Volubilis?

While Volubilis remained inhabited and maintained its status as a capital city for centuries after the collapse of the Roman Empire, the city lost its administrative center status when nearby Fez was established, and the residents were relocated to the mountainous village of Moulay Idriss.

Why is Volubilis important?

Volubilis is one of the largest and most important archaeological sites in Morocco, with the remains of settlements dating from the pre-Roman to the early Islamic periods. It was the capital of the Mauretanian kingdom under the reigns of Juba II and Ptolemy (A.D.

How do I get to Volubilis?

You can get to Moulay Idriss and Volubilis from Meknes either by public bus, shared taxi or by rental car. If you’re more adventurous, hitchhiking there is also possible. You can also go to Moulay Idriss on a guided day trip from Fez and combine a Meknes city tour with a trip to Moulay Idriss and Volubilis.

How old is Volubilis?

The Mauritanian capital, founded in the 3rd century B.C., became an important outpost of the Roman Empire and was graced with many fine buildings. Extensive remains of these survive in the archaeological site, located in a fertile agricultural area.

How many people lived Volubilis?

around 20,000 inhabitants
This allowed the city to grow substantially, and by the end of the 2nd century AD, Volubilis had a population of around 20,000 inhabitants, was raised in status to a municipium, and covered an area of around 98 acres.

When was the Volubilis built?

3rd century BC
Built in a fertile agricultural area, it developed from the 3rd century BC onward as a Berber, then proto-Carthaginian, settlement before being the capital of the kingdom of Mauretania.

Is Meknes Morocco safe?

Meknes: Health & Safety Meknes is a mostly safe city. Compared to other centers in Morocco, the taxi drivers and vendors tend to allow the tourists more privacy. Regardless, there is still the concern of pickpockets at times.

How do you get to Volubilis from Fes?

The quickest way to get from Fes to Volubilis is to taxi which costs MAD 360 – MAD 430 and takes 1h 29m. How far is it from Fes to Volubilis? The distance between Fes and Volubilis is 63 km. The road distance is 108.8 km.

Who lived in Volubilis?

The inhabitants of Volubilis were quite diverse, here living from Africans and Syrians to Spaniards and Jews. The population of Volubilis numbered about 20,000 inhabitants during the golden age of the city. In 40 AD, Volubilis became a municipium of the Roman African region of Mauretania Tingita.

How old is Volubilis Morocco?

The area around Volubilis has been inhabited at least since the Late Atlantic Neolithic, some 5,000 years ago; archaeological excavations at the site have found Neolithic pottery of design comparable to pieces found in Iberia.

Is Moulay Idriss worth visiting?

They say that six pilgrimages to Moulay Idriss in Morocco is worth one Haj to Mecca. I’m on my way. I’m determined to do this pilgrimage properly. The town of Moulay Idriss is in the central north of Morocco and is considered to be one of the holiest places in the country.

Is there a train from Fes to Marrakech?

Is there a direct train between Fès and Marrakesh? Yes, there is a direct train departing from Fès and arriving at Marrakech. Services depart every three hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 34m.

Where are the ruins of Volubilis located?

Near the imperial city of Meknes, Morocco, the Roman ruins of Volubilis are a shadow of the prosperous city that once was. Though the city was close to the far southwestern bounds of the Roman Empire—away from the center of power—it was one of the wealthiest cities of its size.

Why did Volubilis fall to the Romans?

In its golden age, Volubilis had 20,000 inhabitants—a large population for a one of the Roman cities in the provinces. Volubilis fell to local tribes around 280 AD, and the Roman Empire did not try to retake it because of its remoteness and the difficulty in defending the city.

What’s been excavated in Volubilis?

Although only about half of Volubilis has been excavated, a number of prominent public buildings are still visible and some, notably a basilica and a triumphal arch, have been reconstructed. Many private buildings, including the mansions of the city’s elite, have also been uncovered.

What was the population of Volubilis at its peak?

At its peak in the late 2nd century, Volubilis had around 20,000 inhabitants – a very substantial population for a Roman provincial town – and the surrounding region was also well inhabited, to judge from over 50 villas discovered in the area.