Hello everyone,
In this post I'm going to continue my visit to the magnificent Volubilis archaeological site!
Volubilis is a must for history and archaeology enthusiasts from all over the world. During my visit, I spent a magnificent day discovering this remarkably well-preserved Roman city. I was amazed by the Arc de Triomphe and the splendour of the surrounding area: majestic mountains, lush greenery and magnificent landscapes.
Volubilis covers some 40 hectares of ruins amidst fields and olive groves, an inspiring backdrop for poets and heritage lovers. Walking around the site allowed me to immerse myself in the daily life of the Romans of the time, a fascinating and enriching experience.
This prestigious heritage continues to tell stories and feed the imagination of its visitors. Volubilis is much more than an archaeological site: it's a veritable history lesson engraved in stone.
The house of the knight
The house owes its name to the discovery in 1918 of a bronze knight. The house plan presents a quadrilateral form, it is of 1700 sq meters and has a peristyle at the center, with some outbuildings (exedra, triclinium...)
House of columns
This house with an open courtyard is called so because of the diversity of its columns (fluted, plain, spiral).
House of Ephebe
The name comes from the statue representing the Ephebus crowned with ivy. The house is characterised by the presence of a mausoleum dating back to the Mauretanian period annexed to the peristyl house during the construction of that house.
The Triumphal Arch
Built by Volubilis town council in honour of the Emperor Caracalla and his mother Julia Domna in 217 A.D. It was meant to thank them for having bestowed upon its inhabitants Roman citizenship and tax exemption.
House of the Acrobat
It is called so in reference to its mosaic representing the parody of a horseman riding a donkey backwards.
The Forum
Trapezium-shaped, this public place which covers an area of 1300 square meters, was the centre of political, administrative and economic life of the city
The Capitole
Dedicated to the trinity: Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, this monument was built under the reign of the Emperor Macrin in 218 A.D.
The olive press
The olive press bears witness to a sophisticated technique used by the inhabitants to extract olive oil, a key product in the Roman economy. These presses often consisted of massive circular stones and wooden mechanisms that crushed the olives to extract their precious liquid.
Galen's thermal baths
The designation comes from an inscription found in this establishment, dedicated to Emperor Galen. These public baths occupy a surface of 1330 sq meters. The baths comprise also a room for exercise, a changing room, and latrines.
The house of Orpheus
The house of Orpheus is the only large and upper-class house located in the south neighborhood characterized by small houses. It takes its name from the mosaic depicting Orpheus playing the lyre in the center, and animals charmed by his music and surrounding him.
The tumulus
Located at the center of the site, the tumulus also is the highest point on the site (406 meters). It is built on the top of the ruins of the Mauretanian city, which precede the arrival of the Romans to Volubilis. The tumulus has delivered several lapidary inscriptions of funerary character in the Libyan and Punic languages.
Visiting Oualili was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to immerse myself in the history and culture of this fascinating region. If you ever get the chance to visit Morocco, I highly recommend making a diversion to Oualili. You won't be disappointed!
How to get there:
Meknes --> Moulay Idriss Zarhoun --> Volubilis (Oualili)
I hope you've enjoyed this little insight into my visit to Oualili. Feel free to leave your impressions in the comments.
See you soon for a new adventure!
Photos taken by my own phone (Samsung Galaxy A04s).