Not many people know that there are Roman ruins in the North African kingdom of Morocco. The rich tapestry of Morocco’s history unfolds in layers, revealing a chapter influenced significantly by the Romans. North Africa served as a vital part of the Roman Empire, and Morocco, with its strategic location, witnessed the establishment of various Roman settlements. These archaeological sites aren’t something to be missed.
Morocco is the quaint home of three incredibly stunning Roman sites. The best places to explore Roman ruins in Morocco are Volubilis, Lixus and Sala Colonia. Visiting these three destinations doesn’t require many detours for most travelers, and definitely offers something unique. It is very much worth the short journey out of the city to experience this unusual but delicately placed subculture within Morocco’s history.
In fact, these ruins are often completely overlooked by travelers and probably even Moroccan locals. You’re considered to have found some unusual treasure if you find yourself visiting one of the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, Lixus and Sala Colonia.
The Roman Empire’s foray into North Africa began in the 2nd century BCE, gaining momentum as they expanded their reach across the Mediterranean. The region, known as Mauretania Tingitana, encompassed parts of modern-day Morocco. The Romans, recognizing the strategic importance of North Africa, established settlements, fortifications, and trade routes.
Volubilis - General view.
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Volubilis: Morocco's Best-Preserved Roman Site
Near the modern-day city of Meknes, about 33 kilometers south of the city, lay the ancient Roman city of Volubilis. Technically located out of the Roman provinces, ancient Volubilis existed in a liminal space, both Roman and non-Roman, part of the empire but equally influenced by the lands beyond the border. Located in the foothills of the Rif mountains of southeastern Mauretania, Volubilis was much nearer to the Berber peoples who lived beyond the Atlas Mountains than it was to the Latins of the Italian peninsula. As such, its partly excavated ruins reveal several distinct influences that are still enthralling visitors to this day.
Situated about 2 hours from Rabat, or much closer to the city of Mekenes (about 45 minutes) makes this site entirely worth the day trip if you’re just passing through one of these places. Where these ruins lie was once considered the capital city of the Kingdom of Mauretania. It was under Roman rule for a long time during which the Romans expanded it from 12 hectares to over 40.
Volubilis contains essentially Roman vestiges of a fortified municipium built on a commanding site at the foot of the Jebel Zerhoun. Covering an area of 42 hectares, it is of outstanding importance demonstrating urban development and Romanisation at the frontiers of the Roman Empire and the graphic illustration of the interface between the Roman and indigenous cultures. Because of its isolation and the fact that it had not been occupied for nearly a thousand years, it presents an important level of authenticity.
The archaeological vestiges of this site bear witness to several civilizations. All the phases of its ten centuries of occupation, from prehistory to the Islamic period are represented.
Volubilis was discovered an excavated by the French during their rule in Morocco between 1912 and 1956. The Arch of Caracalla shows where the old and new part of the cities meet, and the feeling of ancient Rome comes flooding into the Moroccan landscape. Baths, pillars, archways, and footways are just some of the architectural designs that give away the Roman flavor.
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All over Volubilis, a traveler can experience the ancient culture of Greece and Rome. Scattered over the city are depictions of ancient Greek and Roman gods, mosaics telling ancient stories, sacred geometry and statues suggesting that only royalty were the inhabitants of this city.
The history is just one of the reasons to explore Volubilis, but its beauty and feeling are the reason it makes it one of the best places to see Roman ruins in Morocco.
The site has produced a substantial amount of artistic material, including mosaics, marble and bronze statuary, and hundreds of inscriptions. This documentation and that which remains to be discovered, is representative of a creative spirit of the human beings who lived there over the ages.
The limit of the site is represented by the Roman rampart constructed in 168-169 AD. The features of the site reveal two topographic forms: a relatively flat sloping area in the North-Eastern part, the monumental sector and a part of the sector of the triumphal arch, where the Romans employed an urban hypodamian system, and a rougher hilly area covering the South and Western parts where a terraced plan was adopted.
The abandonment of the town for many centuries ensured that its ruins remained in an excellent state of conservation. Protection measures principally concern the different laws for listing historic monuments and sites, in particular Law 22-80 (1981) regarding the conservation of Moroccan heritage.
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The management of the site is based on an Action Plan, which refers to a national and international legal statute as well as to the strategy of the Ministry of Culture and decisions of the World Heritage Committee. The management concerns conservation, preventive conservation, excavations, maintenance, security, restoration, presentation of the site and preservation of its protection area. The management plan is under preparation by the Conservation departement of Volubilis, the body responsible for the management of the site.
Criterion (ii): The archaeological site of Volubilis is an outstanding example of a town bearing witness to an exchange of influences since High Antiquity until Islamic times. These interchanges took place in a town environment corresponding to the boundary of the site, and in a rural area extending between the prerif ridges from Zerhoun and the Gharb Plain. These influences testify to Mediterranean, Libyan and Moor, Punic, Roman and Arab-Islamic cultures as well as African and Christian cultures.
Criterion (vi): The archaeological site of Volubilis is rich in history, events, ideas, beliefs and artistic works of universal significance, notably as a place that, for a brief period, became the capital of the Muslim dynasty of the Idrissids.
Roman Ruins of Lixus.
Lixus: An Ancient Trading Post
Lixus is the second most important Roman site in Morocco after Volubilis. This ancient Roman site is located a little further up the coast, which means it requires a little bit more traveling. However, don’t let that deter you from making your way over there. What you find over there is probably one of the most underrated and under-visited historical sites in the world.
It is located along the Atlantic coastline near the mouth of the Loukkos River. The Roman writer Pliny the Elder (23-79 CE) described Lixus as the most ancient Phoenician colony in the far west. However, most of the visible remains date from the Roman era. The city reached its zenith during the reign of Emperor Claudius (41-54 CE) when it became a Roman colony and began exporting the fish-based garum sauce.
Lixus is at the heart of one of the most famous myths about Hercules, where he is required to steal golden apples from the Garden of Hesperides. Within the winding and narrow walls of this city, you can find Churches, a natural amphitheater that suggests some kind of combat sport went on there and beautiful Roma buildings.
What make Lixus one of the best places to see Roman runs in Morocco is the stunning views that surround this city. Summits, hilltops and winding rivers mean that even the surrounding area is a beautiful thing to experience. It is also free to roam around and enjoy this site!
Travelers who visit Lixus might also want to visit the colonial Spanish town of Larache, only four kilometers away!
The salt-fishing factory consisted of closely-spaced complexes with a salting capacity of over one million litres, making it the largest garum producer in the western Mediterranean. In the 3rd century CE, Lixus became nearly fully Christian.
The excavated zones (62 hectares / 153 acres) constitute only a quarter of the total area of the ancient city. Immediately upon entering the site is the lower town with the remains of garum-making facilities. A track leads up the hill to the acropolis, passing on its way a small amphitheatre with a semi-circular cavea designed to house theatrical plays and gladiatorial combats. Baths were originally built into the side of the arena, with some traces of mosaic flooring.
The acropolis mound formed the original settlement nucleus at Lixus. A sanctuary to Hercules/Melqart and a palace villa probably belonging to a courtier under Juba II sat at its top.
Chellah - Necropolis and Roman ruins.
Chellah: A Blend of Roman and Islamic History
One of Morocco's most beautiful historical ruins can be seen on the outskirts of Rabat in Chellah, a medieval fortified Muslim necropolis. Of all the places to see Roman ruins in Morocco, Sala Colonia is probably the most popular and easily the most visited. It is a convenient place to visit because it is located in the city of Rabat itself.
The site contains the ruins of an ancient port city referred to as Sala by the renowned Greek geographer Ptolemy (c. 100 to c. 170 CE). The Phoenicians were the first to settle on this site on the south bank of the Bou Regreg river, and the Romans took control c.
The first excavations undertaken on the site in 1929-1930 unearthed the remains of several buildings from the time of Trajan (r. 98-117 CE) and Hadrian (r. 117-138 CE), including a forum, a monumental fountain, a capitol, a triumphal arch, as well as the Decumanus Maximus (the main east-west-oriented street).
The Sala Colonia sits on top of a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and is accompanied by beautiful gardens. This makes it a popular place for tourists and families alike to visit on the weekends, so if you’re looking for a quiet afternoon out, pick a weekday!
The ancient Sala was abandoned in 1154 in favour of nearby Salé. It lay deserted until the 14th century when the Merinids built a holy necropolis, a mosque, and a minaret on top of the Roman site, enclosed by a wall which still marks its boundaries today.
Sala Colonia is not quite as elaborate as the other two places to see Roman ruins in Morocco. More is left to the imagination in terms of putting the ruins back together to get a picture of what this ancient city might look like.
There is a statue of a figure in a toga somewhere in this port city, probably one of the clearest ways to identify that you are in fact, inside of a Roman city. Having said all of this, the increased tourist appeal to Sala Colonia means that the whole set-up is much better organized that what you could expect at the other two locations.
If you visit Chellah in winter or spring, you will get additional wildlife as a large colony of storks inhabits the ruins.
Additionally, Morocco boasts several lesser-known Roman ruins that contribute to the mosaic of its historical narrative. Thamusida, an archaeological site near Kenitra, reveals Roman baths, temples, and residential areas. Banasa, another Roman city, features well-preserved structures such as an arch, forum, and thermal baths.
| Site Name | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Volubilis | Best-preserved Roman city in Morocco, known for its mosaics and architecture. | Near Meknes |
| Lixus | Ancient trading post with remains of garum-making facilities and an amphitheater. | Atlantic coastline, near Larache |
| Chellah (Sala Colonia) | Roman settlement turned medieval necropolis, blending Roman and Islamic influences. | Rabat |
| Thamusida | Archaeological site with Roman baths, temples, and residential areas. | Near Kenitra |
| Banasa | Roman city with well-preserved structures such as an arch, forum, and thermal baths. | On the southern bank of the river Sebou |
The Roman ruins scattered across Morocco serve as portals to an era where cultural exchange, trade, and architectural brilliance flourished. From the majestic city of Volubilis to the coastal hub of Lixus, each archaeological site tells a unique story of the Roman presence in North Africa. As we wander through these remnants, we are transported back in time, witnessing the echoes of an ancient civilization that left an indelible mark on the landscapes and cultures of Morocco.
Exploring Volubilis: The Ancient Roman City in Morocco | History & Archaeology
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