Volubilis Volubilis
Morocco Location Africa
Location of Volubilis.
Volubilis is an ancient city Amazigh (Berber) Romanized located in Morocco, on the banks of the river Rhoumane river on the outskirts of Meknes, near the holy city of Moulay Idriss where Idriss I rests.

The archaeological site of Volubilis is located on the rural commune [1] Oualili, which depends on the prefecture of Meknes and Meknes-Tafilalet region.

Partially exposed nowadays, the ancient city blooms from the third century BC. AD .. as an institution Punic and grows rapidly from the time it enters to the Roman fold, exceeding an area of ​​40 hectares.

The monumental adornment of the city were developed in the second century, following the economic enrichment of the region. Located in an area with rich agricultural potential, this city lived trade in olive oil. Found in the ruins of many oil presses. This enrichment is also reflected in private architecture by building large villas with beautiful mosaics.

The region, considered indefensible, was abandoned by the Roman imperial authorities in 285. The city, urban community Christianized and Muslim city, continues to be inhabited for seven centuries. The Idrisid dynasty, considered the founder of Morocco, is founded in the eighth century. The eleventh century the site was abandoned and the population is transferred to 5 km away to the city of Moulay Idriss.

The city does not suffer substantial damage there seems to an earthquake in the middle of the eighteenth century. Subsequently the ruins are used especially for buildings of Meknes.

Identified late in the nineteenth century, the site is part of the protected heritage of Morocco since 1921. The site is the subject of archaeological excavations since the early twentieth century and half is released to date. The quality of the finds and the site has resulted in its ranking on the list of World Heritage by UNESCO. "An outstanding example of an architectural ensemble illustrating the organization of the Punic administration, pre-Roman and Roman Africa, [Volubilis] is also the place of permanence companies that have inhabited the extreme Maghreb