The Chellah (Ribat al-Fath)

The Chellah (Ribat al-Fath)

Attraction Introduction Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 under cultural criteria C(II)(IV)(V). The report for its inscription: Report of the 21st Session of the World Heritage Committee.

Chellah was built during a very critical period in Moroccan history when all cities along the Mediterranean coast were occupied by the Spanish and Portuguese. It served as a refuge. Owing to its strategically important location, it became a bridge connecting two civilizations and two continents.

Although many archaeological remains indicate that human occupation of this site dates back to prehistoric or Islamic periods, Chellah still held considerable significance in the late Middle Ages after the decline of Ceuta.

In 1286, Sultan Abu Yusuf Ya'qub built a fortress within what would become the city. The city began expanding in the early 14th century but was destroyed by the Spanish a century later. In the latter half of the 15th century, Muslim refugees expelled from Andalusia rebuilt the city.

The second phase of development in the city of Rabat (then known as Salé) occurred in the mid-16th century when its southwestern area extended toward the Medina. Later, Muslims expelled from Spain further expanded the Medina toward the northwest. The current layout of the Medina was completed in the mid-18th century when rulers constructed numerous fortifications within the city.

The walls of Chellah have a base thickness of 1.2 meters, narrowing to 0.6 meters above the foundation, and stretch over 5,000 meters in length. Outside the walls, various defensive structures can be found, such as the star-shaped bastion at the southwest corner. There are a total of seven historically significant gates leading into the city.

The streets of the Medina are arranged in a cruciform pattern, connecting to different gates and leading to inns, bathhouses or public hammams, mosques and other religious sites, as well as areas for merchants and craftsmen. Narrow alleys branch off from the main streets, leading directly to private residences. Countless passageways, awnings, and corridors add further richness to Chellah’s layout.

The terrain of the Medina slopes gradually from the northwest to the southeast, which is one of its distinctive features. No building exceeds three stories in height, except for the minarets that rise above most structures, giving the entire city an Islamic atmosphere. Numerous artisan workshops and outstanding buildings have been well preserved, giving the place unique architectural and artistic characteristics, heavily influenced by Andalusian style. Though Chellah is one of Morocco’s smallest Arab quarters, it is undoubtedly also one of the most intact, having remained free from later external interference. Evaluation: Since the 8th century, Chellah has been an especially important city during the Islamic period, serving as a major passage connecting Morocco and Andalusia. After the Spanish Reconquista, the city was rebuilt by refugees who had suffered from Spanish pillaging. This place excels both architecturally and artistically, with strong Andalusian influence. Though Chellah is one of Morocco’s smallest Arab quarters, it is undoubtedly also one of the most complete and untouched by later external influences.

Rabat, Morocco