Necropolis of Chella in Rabat

Most of the cities in Morocco comprise of large burial sites like necropolis or cemeteries. The city of Rabat is no exception. Since, the burial ceremony is an important ritual in the Islamic culture; such sites are common in majority of the cities of Morocco.

The Necropolis of Chella is an ancient burial site. Most of the tombs and their enclosing structures lie in ruins now. This site is a witness of most ancient human settlements around the River Bou Regreg's mouth. The necropolis is located on the outer edges of the Rabat city.

Surprisingly, the burial site was a ghost town abandoned by the Romans. Hence, the necropolis also comprises of ruins of the Roman town. Some of the significant Roman structures here include Decumanus Maximus, a road like arrangement.

Visitors can also see a triumphal arch and a forum, which are typical Roman constructions. The Roman structures are accompanied with a 12th century Muslim mosque, royal tombs and a main gate.

The site explains how the civilizations of different periods use the same place for different purposes.

Stunning Roman ruins. Bring a picnic lunch and don't forget to feed boiled eggs to the eels in the pool if you want to have a baby! Lots of stray cats, beware of rabies.