The Roman Empire in Morocco
This is probably not the first thing you think about when you think about Morocco, but it’s definitely worth it. Several Roman sites are also on the UNESCO World Heritage List
What would you expect to see upon arrival in Morocco? I’m guessing you would expect to see the mountains, the rivers, the deserts and the diverse wildlife fauna. What you would probably not expect to see are ruins of the ancient Roman Empire. Am I right? Well, if I am, I should tell you that the Kingdom of Morocco (al-Mamlakah al-Maġribiyya, or short al-Maġrib – Morocco) takes pride in their Volubilis, a Roman settling dating back to the second century A.D. and transformed into an archeological site since the 18th century, after which it has been viewed as a great Moroccan touristy attraction.
Volubilis (Walili)) is located at an estimate distance of 33 kilometers from the City of Meknes, and should you desire to spend a night in the region, you could check in at the Volubilis Hotel, a small and cozy 3 start resort, in which the average room rates for two adults are of $100.
The entry fee at the Volubilis site is of 20 Moroccan Dirham (approximately $2.5, at the exchange rate on January 2010). Once in, you will be able to admire the marvelous structures of Roman constructions, the columns, the mosaics and the painted floors, or the popular Roman baths. Aside these, you will also be introduced to the remains of the Volubils Capital and those of the Basilica.
At the end, you should feel the satisfaction of having visited not only the living documentation of the grandeur of the Roman Empire, but also the site considered so valuable as to be included on the list of World Heritage Centers by UNESCO.