12 September 2014
En route to Chellah we drove
through the modern capital that is Rabat, passing the current royal
palace and seat of bureaucracy. Not that you could see much, just
glimpses through a very few gateways. This is one very big compound
surrounded by long, high walls.
Chellah itself is a walled
‘city’. The ruins are from Roman times (200 BC onwards) and the
Arab 14th century, side by side rather than one built over the other.
The viewing platform would have given a good overview if trees had
not been in the way! Ruins: turn left for Roman, right for Arabic!
 |
| The Roman section of Chellah from the viewing platform |
 |
| Roman, left. Arab, right. |
The Roman/Christian
settlement was typical of its period. There was a capitol, temple,
forum, thermes (baths, what we would call a sauna and gym these
days), artisans quarters, triumphal arch – now all not much more
than knee high, if that, and some landmarks impossible to be
distinguished by this non-archaeologist.
The Arab/Muslim remains,
being relatively! recent, stand quite high in parts. This largely
consists of a mosque and necropolis but there are also the remains of
a hammam. It’s surprising that the small amounts of tile work that
remain are not better protected.
 |
| A marabout - the resting place/shrine of a Muslim holy man |
Morocco is a breeding ground
for storks. Nests can be seen in many places throughout the country,
including at these ruins.
I don’t know if the dodo
was ever resident here but it is reborn as a tree 🙂
Whether Roman or Arab, the ‘watering holes’ look equally, decidedly uninviting. I really think the Arab remains is really a flooded courtyard.
 |
| Arab |
 |
| Roman |
After an absorbing day
visiting the three very different “top tourists attractions” in
Rabat, it was time to leave. It was much more than one day ending.
