Sala Colonia Roman ruins, Chellah, Rabat, Morocco
Roman ruins of Sala Colonia in Rabat, Morocco
I have lived all of my life in Australia. Our country has a long and ancient heritage in our Aboriginal history, but nothing in the way of ancient buildings. The Aboriginal rock carvings are often millennia old and totally absorbing as such. Because of their lifestyle, the Australian Aboriginal people did not need to build impressive buildings like we see in Europe, Africa and other parts of the world.
So when we visited Morocco we naturally marvelled at the age of some of the old Roman ruins. Our guides were meticulous in relating the historical significance of places like these Roman ruins of Sala Colonia in Rabat. I was not aware before this of the Roman influence on life in Morocco.
Totally fascinating.
More photos coming tomorrow.
Roman ruins of Sala Colonia in Rabat, Morocco
Roman ruins of Sala Colonia in Rabat, Morocco
Drumming up some business
Drummer at the entrance of Sala Colonia, Rabat, Morocco
On our visit to the ancient Roman ruins of Sala Colonia in Rabat, Morocco, we were greeted by this drummer at the entrance of the walled fortress. He was drumming up some business, and when he saw me taking his photo, he expected some payment. Although our guide gave him some tips, I am sure by the look of him that he expected more from individuals, especially photographers.
I guess it was a little mean-spirited of me not to give a token amount. I hope he was satisfied with the offerings of several others on our tour group.
Chellah in Rabat, Morocco
Chellah, Rabat, Morocco
Chellah in Rabat, Morocco
During our short visit to Rabat in Morocco we visited the Chellah district, including this old, impressive fortress. The walls surround an old part of the city and include a magnificent garden as well as the Roman ruins of Sala Colonia. (Photos of these ruins in a few days’ time.)
I found that these impressive fortress walls quite intriguing; we have nothing like them in our young country here in Australia.
Chellah in Rabat, Morocco
Gardens at Chellah in Rabat, Morocco
Chellah in Rabat, Morocco
Scenes of Rabat, Morocco
Scenes of Rabat, Morocco
On our visit to Morocco we sadly didn’t spend much time in the capital Rabat. The tour we were on could only cover the highlights of a country. It would take many months – even years to see everything worth seeing. The few hours we had in this beautiful and intriguing place were enough to whet the appetite and make one vow to someday return – for a much longer period.
Today I share a few photos taken during that stay. They do not do justice to the city.
Scenes of Rabat, Morocco
Scenes of Rabat, Morocco
Royal Mosque, Rabat, Morocco
Royal Mosque, Rabat, Morocco
Shortly after arriving in the capital city Rabat during our tour of Morocco, we stopped briefly at the Royal Mosque. We only walked around the perimeter before moving on to the Royal Palace. Like many mosques around the world, we were not permitted entry, unlike the magnificent mosque in Casablanca, about which I wrote a few weeks ago.
Royal Mosque, Rabat, Morocco
Royal Mosque, Rabat, Morocco