Rabat – The Chellah archeological site is now open to the public following major restoration work, the Rabat Historical Heritage Region (RRPH), the regional development corporation in charge of managing and operating the site, announced on Monday.

The archeological site is a strategic and well-loved space in Rabat. It has both an imaginable historical and archeological value. For many Rabat residents, the Chellah is truly a cultural and national treasure that must be preserved at all costs. 

The Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication entrusted the RRPH with the innovative management of the archeological site and the preservation of its historical value. 

This renovation project relies on four key objectives focused on improving public reception conditions, ensuring easy access for all visitors, and enhancing the appeal of the site by offering new products that highlight its history and cultural richness.

It also involves the establishment of a sustainable economic model to ensure the long-term financing of the site’s restoration, as well as the creation of an ecosystem involving the various stakeholders in the management and promotion of the site. 

The RRPH has implemented several measures to achieve the planned objectives. Notably, the measures included the creation of a new tourist circuit, the introduction of audio-guided tours, and the launch of a website dedicated to the archeological site. 

In addition, the RRPH established a partnership with “Chellah en Scène” to introduce Rabat residents to a new format of products and services while improving the site’s appeal as an important cultural haven. 

Since 2005, the ruins of Chellah have hosted an international yearly Jazz Festival famously known as Jazz au Chellah. The iconic site is also home to some of the annual Mawazine Festival events.

Read also: Rabat’s Chellah: A History of Conquests and Cohabitation

For history lovers, a visit to the Chellah is the ultimate way to immerse yourself in Moroccan history. 

Typically, a tour of the Chellah begins in the archeological site’s “ancient city,” where visitors can explore the remains of the Roman and Mauritanian eras. Afterwards, visitors explore the Merinid necropolis, which is meant to plunge them into the mysterious atmosphere of medieval Morocco. The tour concludes with a visit to the site’s gardens.

Prices vary depending on the tour options. The regular tour costs MAD 70 ($7.04), while the audio-guided tour costs MAD 120 ($12.10) per person. Moroccans and foreigners residing in Morocco benefit from a 50% discount. 

A website, “www.Chellah.site,” provides useful information about the site and its various facilities. The website also allows visitors to book and purchase tickets for tours of the site.

As underlined by its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012, the Chellah is more than just an archaeological site. It is a cultural necropolis that narrates the historical depths of Rabat.