Volubilis

Volubilis, a UNESCO-listed ancient Roman monument in Morocco, contains large remains dating back to the first century BC. Volubilis was already a thriving town when the Romans arrived in about 25 BC, under the reign of Juba II, a Berber prince assigned as the region's governor by Emperor Augustus. Juba II was married to Anthony and Cleopatra's daughter.

Volubilis' occupants were a diverse group of people who included Africans, Syrians, Spaniards, and Jews, among others, and totaled up to 20,000 people at its heyday.

Visitors can observe a variety of public structures, olive mills (the economic backbone of ancient Volubilis), sophisticated hot baths, residences, temples, and defensive walls, all of which are adorned with beautiful mosaics.

The Triumphal Arch of Caracalla, built for the Roman Emperor Caracalla after his death in 217 AD, is one of Volubilis' most famous buildings. The Triumphal Arch of Caracalla is in excellent condition, and despite the loss of its top half, it remains an extraordinarily spectacular building and a must-see for any history buff. Climb the nearby hillside for spectacular views of the area.

The site is open from sunrise to night, and tour guides can be hired at the entry. By no means has the entire site been explored; only about 20 hectares, mostly in the north, have been revealed. A tiny onsite museum houses some Volubilis antiquities, although the majority of them are housed at Rabat's National Archaeology Museum.

Location: Meknès Prefecture, Fès-Meknès, Morocco