Archaeological Site of Volubilis

Location, demographics and climate. The archaeological site of Volubilis is located near Fez in the plain of Djebel Zerhoun (https://goo.gl/maps/HxkYWowKpNS6MeRS7).

Volubilis has a warm Mediterranean-type climate. The summer is dry.

History. Volubilis was founded in the 3rd century BC. The Carthaginians seem to have been the first inhabitants of the city. The city of Volubilis became an essential agglomeration of the late Hellenistic culture under the reign of Juba 2 in the 1st century BC. It reached its peak in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. The city was annexed to Rome around 44 BC and was transformed into a municipium (or community partially exercising the rights of Roman citizenship). This annexation came about as a result of the city’s support during the Aedmon revolt. The city then became the main city of the Roman province of Mauritania Tingitana. At that time, it had a population of nearly 20,000 inhabitants who were mainly engaged in the cultivation of wheat that was shipped to Rome. The city was then deserted in 285 when Diocletian reorganized the province. It came under the successive domination of Berbers, Greeks, Syrians and Jews. The city became the capital of Idris I, the founder of the Idrisid dynasty after 788. The Arabic name of Volubilis is Oulili, Walila or Walili. In the 18th century, the city was destroyed by the Lisbon earthquake.

Tourist places. While it is highly recommended for visitors to walk in the ruins of Volubilis, there are, however, some monuments not to be missed:

1.         In the upper part of the city of Volubilis, the forum, the basilica and the temple of Jupiter, which were the centre of social and political life.

2.         The thermal baths and their heating system

3.         The mosaics that remain in the various monuments