The Roman city of Volubilis

It is a Roman city that is located near the holy city of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun where is buried the founder of the dynasty Idrisside Idriss I.
Walili is the Berber name of the city, which originates from the flower of the bindweed. The presence of oil press shows an intense commercial activity based on olive oil. Excavations have shown the occupation of this site since the Neolithic era, but its development will not see the light until the 2nd century before J-C.

The kingdom of Mauretania was occupied by the Romans from 42 AD and it was only after the assassination of Caligula that Volubilis became the capital of the Roman administration in Mauritania.

The occupation of the Romans ceased in 429 with the invasion of vandals from Spain.

The Islamization of the Maghreb began with the Abassids who settled in 681 in Volubilis. Idriss I settled there in 789 after his flight from Baghdad to escape the Abassid and the defeat of the Battle of Fakh. Volubilis became Walila. Idriss II son of Idriss I founded the city of Fes in 818, which caused the decline of Volubilis.

UNESCO has classified this site as universal heritage. Today you can still admire in the middle of olive groves and fields the vestiges of this Roman time:

• a forum
• hot springs
• a rampart with 8 doors
• Rich mansions with mosaics
• hulieries and bakeries