Hi community,
A few days ago, I had the opportunity to visit Oualili (Volubilis) for the second time. This time the experience was even more special, as I was accompanied by my sister, her husband and their two sons. It was at the request of my brother-in-law, who lives in Oujda, in the east of Morocco, and who had never set foot in this historic site. Curious to discover these Roman ruins, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, he suggested this family excursion, and we accepted enthusiastically!
We set off early in the morning from Meknes after having breakfast, and took advantage of the journey to admire the beautiful green landscapes that stretched as far as the eye could see. The atmosphere and climate were perfect for a day out. My sister's 8-year-old son Jad was overexcited at the idea of exploring such an ancient and mysterious place. All along the way, he asked us questions about the history of Volubilis, as well as what life was like for the inhabitants almost 2000 years ago.
As soon as you arrive, the first thing that springs to mind is that the city's first Roman inhabitants really chose the right place to build this town. A perfect place, both beautiful and safe: a large, flat plain surrounded by mountains covered in greenery...
We didn't need a guide as it wasn't the first time I'd visited Volubilis, so I already knew what tour to take and where to start so as not to miss anything on the site! We started at the Tangier Gate to the north, this large entrance, once one of the main gates to the ancient city, immediately put us in the atmosphere of Volubilis. In front of us, imposing ruins still testified to the ingenuity of Roman architects.
We then took the long stone street that zigzagged between the ruins. On either side, we could see old Roman houses. Some were still standing, others had been damaged by time. Some had beautiful columns and others had remnants of colourful mosaics. It was incredible to imagine the lives of the people who used to live here, rich families who lived in these houses hundreds of years ago!
This fountain allowed the inhabitants to collect water. The Romans were very clever - they knew exactly how to organise the water in their towns!
And just a few dozen metres away is the Arc de Triomphe: one of the most famous symbols of Volubilis! This arch was built in honour of the emperor Caracalla. We took a moment to admire its details... and of course, it's the perfect place to take some great souvenir photos!
We then headed for the basilica, the central square and the capitol, which were the political and religious centre of Volubilis. Walking around here, I can imagine the debates between the senators and the great ceremonies that took place here. In those days, it was a very lively place!
Another special place on this site is the House of Orpheus!
We ended our visit with this magnificent house, which is the largest dwelling in the southern part of the town, known for its modest dwellings.
After this immersion in history, we headed back to Meknes, a little tired but amazed by our visit.
Before arriving in town, we decided to stop off at a restaurant a few kilometres from Meknes to enjoy a well-deserved lunch. The menu of the day delighted us with typical Moroccan dishes: lamb tagine with prunes, and of course, as usual, delicious mint tea.
This second visit to Oualili was much more than a simple outing. It was a magical moment shared with those closest to me. My brother-in-law, who was discovering this place for the first time, was amazed by the beauty of the site. As for his son, he loved running between the ruins and imagining what life was like in days gone by. If you're a fan of archaeology and you're passing through Meknes, don't miss Volubilis! Every stone has a story to tell, and every nook and cranny transports you to another era. Thank you and see you soon!
Photos taken by mobile phone (Samsung Galaxy A04s) !
