If you prefer to wander on your own, allow at least two hours to see the essentials, and up to a
full day for the real enthusiast.
The better-known monuments are in the northern part of the site, although it’s more
convenient to start in the south. Once over the Oued Fertassa, the path leads onto the ridge
and through the residential quarter.
Ancient Volubilis
Although the least remarkable part of the site, the olive presses Offline map here indicate the
economic basis of ancient Volubilis, much as the plentiful olive groves in the surrounding area do
today. Near the presses, the remains of a female skeleton Offline map (thought to be Muslim as
she was buried facing Mecca) are entombed in one of the walls; she’s now protected by an iron
sheet.
Buildings
Next to the House of Orpheus are the remains of Galen’s Baths Offline map . Although largely
broken, they clearly show the highly developed underfloor heating in this Roman hammam.
Opposite the steam room are the communal toilets – where citizens could go about their
business and have a chat at the same time.
The capitol, basilica and 1300-sq-metre forum are, typically, built on a high point. The capitol
Offline map , dedicated to the Triad of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, dates back to AD 218; the
basilica Offline map and forum Offline map lie immediately to its north. The reconstructed columns
of the basilica are usually topped with storks’ nests – an iconic Volubilis image if the birds are
nesting at the time of your visit. Around the forum is a series of plinths carved with Latin
inscriptions that would have supported statues of the great and good. Keep your eyes out for
the carved stone drain-hole cover – an understated example of Roman civil engineering.
The marble Triumphal Arch Offline map was built in 217 in honour of Emperor Caracalla andhis mother, Julia Domna. The arch, which was originally topped with a bronze chariot, was
reconstructed in the 1930s, and the mistakes made then were rectified in the 1960s. The hillock
to the east provides a splendid view over the entire site.
Houses with Mosaics
On the left just before the triumphal arch are a couple more roped-off mosaics. One, in the
House of the Acrobat Offline map , depicts an athlete being presented with a trophy for winning
a desultory race, a competition in which the rider had to dismount and jump back on his horse
as it raced along.
From the arch, the ceremonial road, Decumanus Maximus , stretches up the slope to the
northeast. The houses lining it on either side contain the best mosaics on the site. The first on
the far side of the arch is known as the House of the Ephebus Offline map and contains a fine
mosaic of Bacchus in a chariot drawn by panthers.
Next along, the House of the Columns Offline map is so named because of the columnsaround the interior court – note their differing styles, which include spirals. Adjacent to this is
the House of the Knight Offline map with its incomplete mosaic of Bacchus and Ariadne. The
naked Ariadne has suffered somewhat from the attentions of admirers – or Muslim iconoclasts.