Volubilis and Moulay Idriss

Cycle 83 km east from Fez, almost non-stop through olive groves, and you can't imagine how trees can be planted in such barren and dry land! This kind of human spirit gives us endless hope, and we believe that as long as the Moroccans are willing, they are absolutely capable of changing the country! It's just that they haven't done enough yet, and the speed of improving the environment is proportional to the speed of destroying it. The ruins of Volubilis stand on a slightly sunken plain, and some broken shadows in the distance almost make people ignore its existence (Figure 11), just like its historical status. If it were not for the excavation and protection of the former French colonists, it would probably have been in the state of "dust to dust, earth to earth". Volubilis (called the Pharaoh's Castle by the Arabs) is the only large Roman colony discovered in Morocco so far, with a city area of 40 hectares and a total length of 2.6 km of city walls during its heyday. The olive industry was the main reason for the prosperity of the city, and many beautiful large mosaic floors and town houses were built in the 2nd century AD. But in the 17th century, it was almost completely destroyed by Moulay Ismail, the sultan with the Black Guard, who then took the fragments of the city to build his new capital, Meknes. Nevertheless, the site is still magnificent. Moulay Idriss (Figures 19-20) is located northwest of the Roman ruins, built on a semicircular hill, like a big white bun, shining in the sun. Distance creates beauty, and it is appropriate to use it here. When you enter the town, you will find it ugly and dirty. This is the worst place I have ever seen in Morocco: the number of shameless beggars and liars makes people reluctant to stay for another minute!