Volubilis, located in Morocco, was founded in the 300 BC. Since its establishment, it became a vital outpost of the Roman Empire. The site was dignified with many fine structures. The wide-ranging remnants of these still endure in the archaeological site, located in a fertile agricultural area. Volubilis later became the capital of Idris-1, founder of the Idrisid Empire, for a short period of time. The site was reflected as the administrative center of Mauretania. At the same time, the place was also one of most isolated cities within the Roman Empire.
The place was not completely free from political tension throughout the Roman reign. The residents started to revolt in 40 AD. As a result, the Roman citizenship and tax-free status were granted to calm the situation. Later, in the Islamic rule, the churches were destroyed even after the locals’ opposition. Until 11th century, Volubilis stayed inhabited and sustained its status as the capital city for periods after the collapse of the Roman Empire. However, the city lost its administrative centre position at the time when neighbouring Fez was established, the inhabitants were moved to the hilly village of MoulayIdriss.
The site holds principally Roman ruins of a barricaded municipium constructed on an imperious site at the base of the Jebel Zerhoun. It covers an area of 42 hectares. The place holds significant importance by indicating urbanization and Romanisation of the Roman Empire and the explicit illustration of the interface between the Roman and local cultures.Therefore, it is referred to the richest sites of present time in North Africa for its ruins and the great wealth of its epigraphic proof.
The archaeological leftovers of this place endure attachment to numerous civilizations. The site represents the period from prehistory to the Islamic rule. The place has produced a considerable amount of artistic work, including patchworks, marble and bronze sculptures, and hundreds of epitaphs. This certification and that which is yet to be revealed, represents a creative essence of the people who existed there over the ages. The frontier of the site is showed by the Roman fortification built in 168-169 AD.
Volubilis provided residence to the people for more than 1000 years. The major area of the site around 800 x 600 meters. The place provide good quality ruins, and 30 high quality mosaics for visitors. The Forum of Volubilis, the Basilica of Volubilis, the House of the Euphebus, the House of Orpheus, and the House of Dionysus are some of the major attractions of the city.
In the 18th century, when the Lisbon earthquake hit the region, it caused serious damage to the buildings. Volubilis was enlisted on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List in 1997. Despite the fact that this delightful site has been burgled for granite and marble to build structures in the nearby towns of Moulay Idris and Meknes, the leftovers tell the story of a city that once flourished. The ruins of Volubilis are prettily well-looked-after remnants of the Roman era.
