Chellah Necropolis

The Chellah is a fortified royal necropolis in Rabat, Morocco, built by the Marinid dynasty beginning in the late 13th century on the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Sala Colonia. The complex served as a burial ground for Marinid sultans and their families from around 1284 onward. Its walls enclose royal tombs, a mosque, a minaret, and the ruins of the earlier Roman settlement.

The Marinid complex was built directly on top of the ancient Roman settlement of Sala Colonia, and Roman-era foundations, columns, and artifacts remain visible within the compound. The Roman site gave its name to the nearby modern city of Salé. The juxtaposition of Roman and Islamic-era architecture within the same walls makes the Chellah archaeologically unique in Morocco.

The necropolis served as the burial ground for several Marinid sultans, beginning with Abu Yusuf Yaqub, who is associated with the site from around 1284. Later Marinid rulers were interred in increasingly elaborate tombs within the complex. The royal burial chamber and surrounding graves are decorated with zellige tilework and inscriptions.

The Chellah is a major tourist attraction in Rabat and is open to the public as a historical and archaeological site. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of Rabat's historic ensembles. The gardens, ruins, and stork-nested minaret make it one of the most photographed landmarks in the Moroccan capital.