When you think of Romans ruins, you think of the big ticket sites in Italy, stretches around the Mediterranean and over to Turkey; North Africa is often forgotten but a visit to the ruins at Volubilis in Morocco is on par with the likes of Ephesus and the Roman Forum. While Volubilis may not be as grand or as extensive as the more well known sights, it has what must be some of the best in-situ roman mosaics in the world. Added to this, is that it is relatively untouristed so you are left in peace to absorb their wonder at your own pace.

Volubilis’s wealth was founded on its olive groves which continue to play an important role in the regions economy to this day This way to Volubilis

Volubilis is located on the fertile plains at the base of the Morocco’s Atlas mountains. The ruins are slightly off the main tourist trail but can be easily reached from Meknes, one of the country’s main cities. From Meknes, it is a short drive or can easily be reached by public transport in the form of the ubiquitous grande taxi. We opted for the later (an experience in itself) and were dropped off in the nearby town of Moulay Idris, before ambling down the hill and along a few quiet country roads to the ruins.

The reconstructed basilica sits surrounded by smaller ruins in a scene reminiscent more of Tuscany than of Morocco

The Romans founded Volubilis in the 3rd Century BC and it became an important outpost of the Roman Empire. The site became wealthy from the olive groves and fields that surrounded it and also from the export of wild animals, some of which can be seen in the mosaics adorning the floors of some of the buildings.

The mosaic of Orpheus charming animals is set within the ‘House or Orpheus’ a private house

While the ruins are impressive themselves, it is these in-situ mosaics that make the visit truly special. Here you get a glimpse of the extravagance and wealth that once occupied these walls. Although they have withstood the passage of time, their future remains uncertain as they lie unprotected and exposed to the elements, surrounded only by thin ropes and the crumbling walls that formerly enclosed them. A newly constructed visitor centre by Kilo Architectures however suggests that the Moroccan authorities are starting to take greater interest in protecting this cultural asset.

Although the buildings themselves lie in ruins, the detail and expense laboured on their city is clear to see The mosaics contain a number of depictions of life in Roman Volubilis

Elegant patterns such as this ‘running peltae’ are used extensively both as borders as well as as the centre piece of rooms The patterns used in the mosaics are continued into the decoration on the columns

Two millennia later, you can stand in the spaces that were once occupied by the Romans of Volubilis and view scenes depicting their lives as well as elaborate patterns and decoration. Many of these motifs used by the Romans are strikingly similar to which are similar to Celtic, Mayan and Pacific patterns despite being from different times and different continents. Morocco is known for its zellij tilework but at Volubilis are a very different type of tilework, just as intricate, no less impressive, and over a millennium older.