Chellah
The Story
The site of Chellah has been occupied since at least the 3rd century BC, becoming the Roman city of Sala Colonia before being abandoned in the 7th century AD. The Marinid dynasty enclosed and transformed the ruins into a royal necropolis in the 13th century, building mosques and tombs for their sultans among the Roman remains. A 14th-century earthquake began its decline into ruin. Today it exists in a rare state of beautiful, deliberate abandonment — neither fully excavated nor restored, simply present in its layers.
What Awaits You
Architecture: Marinid fortified walls enclosing Roman ruins, medieval mosques, royal tombs, and a minaret — all overtaken by wild gardens and nesting storks
Cultural significance: Built over the Roman city of Sala Colonia; served as a royal necropolis for Marinid sultans in the 13th–14th centuries
Landscape / setting: On the southern edge of Rabat, Morocco's capital — a UNESCO World Heritage Site within a modern city
Unique feature: Hundreds of white storks nest in the ruins every spring, creating an extraordinary natural and historic spectacle simultaneously
Detailed Itinerary
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