Ancient monuments Morocco

In the northeast district of Volubilis, the homes of the rich patricians, including that of the house of Venus, were located. Around the main patio, we find the bedrooms and reception rooms. It is not possible to enter the interior, as the corridors are paved with mosaics reminiscent of Berber carpets, but a platform outside allows you to contemplate several mosaics. The two most beautiful and well preserved masterpieces are undoubtedly the paved representations of Diana and Acteon, as well as the magnificent mosaic of Hylas removed by the nymphs.

Stretching from the triumphal arch to the gate of Tangier, Decumanus maximus, the main street of the city, are a wide paved path of 400 m, bordered by the houses of the richest inhabitants.

Great mosaic where Bacchus is perfectly preserved. On the other hand, it is only Distingue's legs, and a single leg of Ariane. One of the most touching mosaics.

This vast residence, once three storeys high, is accessed through two sections of stone walls topped by a slab to form a doorway, to the left of which is engraved the inscription: Maison d'Orphée. The atrium is on the right, and the main mosaic shows Orpheus charming animals (elephant, horse) with his lyre. Unfortunately, this mosaic is not complete and part of the circle has been covered with cement. On the left as you enter, a beautiful complete mosaic representing nine dancing dolphins.

One of the best preserved mosaics, always on the left along the Decumanus.

Draws its name from the two twisted columns to the Corinthian top. Inside is a large peristyle peristyle (rainwater recovery basin).

Around a large stone rectangle still remains two unfortunately damaged mosaics. Basically and better preserved, a seated néréide on a sea horse and surrounded by centaurs.

Two very well preserved mosaics: The first presents an acrobat (desultor) on horseback, and the second evokes a fishing scene.

The entrance to the ruins is 300 m from the city gates, on both sides of the road. We do not know the exact date of the foundation of this fabulous city, that the geographer El Bekri, of the XIth century, makes go back up to the year 140 of the Hégire (792 of our era). From the 9th to the 11th century, Sijilmassa was the capital, the religious center of the Zénètes Berbers and the economic center of an independent kingdom, limited to the north and south by the Atlas Mountains and the desert, to the east and west by the Drâa and the Ziz. An important caravanning center between Morocco, Mali, Sudan and Niger, Sijilmassa ensured the trade of precious commodities, such as salt, dates, cloth, gold and other metals. With a population of 100,000 inhabitants and made up of 600 kasbahs, it is even the direct rival of cities like Fez or Marrakech. But the city aroused a lot of covetousness, and it was conquered by the Almoravids around 1055, who continued the commercial activity. The reasons for the disappearance of Sijilmassa are unknown, but it is known that it was sacked in 1362 by Arab nomads. When Leon the African went there in 1550, all that remained of the city were ruins and vestiges of a past splendor. Replaced by Rissani, it was definitively destroyed and razed in the 19th century. Once on the site, it is hard to imagine that this is the cradle of a civilization whose influence has spread throughout North Africa. A step which will undoubtedly fascinate the amateurs of archaeology and history!