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All Morocco Meknes Volubilis Archaeological Site

Volubilis Archaeological Site

Mosaics, storks, and brothels—this ancient city has it all.

Meknes, Morocco

Added By
Monica Petrus
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  antoniomanuelmelo / Atlas Obscura User
  antoniomanuelmelo / Atlas Obscura User
Volubilis   pauldickerson / Atlas Obscura User
Volubilis   pauldickerson / Atlas Obscura User
Volubilis   pauldickerson / Atlas Obscura User
Volubilis - Capitole   philoursmars
Volubilis   pauldickerson / Atlas Obscura User
Volubilis   pauldickerson / Atlas Obscura User
Arch of Caracalla at sunset.   Monica Petrus
Amazing mosaic floors.   Monica Petrus
  Monica Petrus
By Dr Chris Stout   drchrisstout / Atlas Obscura User
By Dr Chris Stout   drchrisstout / Atlas Obscura User
By Dr Chris Stout   drchrisstout / Atlas Obscura User
Volubilis - Maison d’Orphée   philoursmars
  Monica Petrus
Volubilis - Maison de l’Ephèbe   philoursmars
Volubilis   pauldickerson / Atlas Obscura User
Volubilis   pauldickerson / Atlas Obscura User
Volubilis - Maison de Dionysos et des 4 Saisons ( Dionysos and the four seasons)   philoursmars
Volubilis - forum   philoursmars
Volubilis - Maison d’Orphée   philoursmars
  Monica Petrus
Volubilis   pauldickerson / Atlas Obscura User
Volubilis - Maison des 12 Travaux d’Hercule ( twelve labours of Hercules)   philoursmars
Volubilis - Maison de Vénus   philoursmars
Basilica with stork’s nest.   Monica Petrus
Arch of Caracalla.   Monica Petrus
Storks nest seen through the arch of the Roman basilica.   Monica Petrus
Amazing mosaic floors with view of Moulay Idriss in background.   Monica Petrus
Unmistakable sign of a brothel.   Monica Petrus
Volubilis   pauldickerson / Atlas Obscura User
Lala at Volubilis   NMaF / Atlas Obscura User
Volubilis   pauldickerson / Atlas Obscura User
Storks nests atop columns.   Monica Petrus
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About

Built in and occupied since the third century BC, Volubilis had seen its share of residents—Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Romans—before being taken back by the locals by 285.

The city remained occupied by Latin Christians, then Muslims, then the Idrisid Dynasty, the founders of modern Morocco. In the 11th century, it was abandoned when the seat of power moved to Fez, and the city’s stones were looted for the building of Meknes after a powerful earthquake in the 18th century.

Under French occupation, excavation identified the site officially as the Roman city of Volubilis. The excavations revealed glorious mosaic floors, temples, a basilica, aqueduct, baths, gates, and—as in every good old town—brothels.

Besides the usual Berber men selling postcards and “authentic” Roman coins, the city is now occupied by a new kind of resident: storks. What better place for these large birds to build their bulky nests than atop a Roman column? The smooth sides protect them from any land animal and their size and paternal protectiveness protect them from above. Storks can be seen throughout Morocco, nesting atop monuments.

In 1997, the city of Volubilis was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A quick pit stop there is usually part of a tour package, on the road from Meknes to Fes.

Related Tags

Archaeology Ruins Fauna Birds Brothels Animals
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Community Contributors

Added By

Monica Petrus

Edited By

Rachel, Martin, philoursmars, Blindcolour...

  • Rachel
  • Martin
  • philoursmars
  • Blindcolour
  • NMaF
  • pauldickerson
  • drchrisstout
  • antoniomanuelmelo

Published

November 6, 2013

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Volubilis Archaeological Site
road to volibulis
Meknes
Morocco
34.071111, -5.553611
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Nearby Places

Haroune Aqueduct

Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, Morocco

miles away

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miles away

Prison de Kara

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Meknes

Meknes

Morocco

Places 3

Nearby Places

Haroune Aqueduct

Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, Morocco

miles away

Dar Jamai Museum

Meknes, Morocco

miles away

Prison de Kara

Meknes, Morocco

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Meknes

Meknes

Morocco

Places 3

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