The site of Chellah was probably the oldest human settlement at the mouth of Bouregreg. The Phoenicians and Carthaginians, who founded several outlets in Morocco, probably inhabited the banks of the Bouregreg.
Chellah retains, however, the remains of a Roman town. Excavations have revealed the presence of an agglomeration of some importance; that of the city cited under the names of Sala by Ptolemy and Sala Colonia in the Antonine Itinerary. The remains of Decumanus Maximus, or main track were released as well as a forum, a monumental fountain, a triumphal arch, a Christian basilica, etc. The main route of Sala was followed by surveys carried towards the ancient harbor on the Bouregreg harbor silted today. Thus, the Roman city exceeded the enclosure Merinid towards the river.
Chellah was abandoned for centuries when Marinids chose its site to build their necropolis. As shown in Kufic inscription, which overcomes the front door, the work was completed in 1339 during the reign of Abu al-Hasan 'Ali. The occupation of the site has been gradual and successive developments have resulted in achieving a lavish burial.
Protected by a substantial enclosure which is accessed through three doors (the main gate called Sidi Yahia Gate, the Gate of the Gardens and the Gate of Heaven Source) Merinid necropolis contains such an ablution room, with Zawiya oratory, a pared zellig minaret and several burial chambers, such that Abul Hassan whose stele, finely decorated, sits under a canopy mouqanas. Later, Abu Inan Faris' his son pretended to maintain the income of a Merinid Rabat bath, steam-Ej jdid.
The gate of the cemetery is a majestic and warlike door. Powerful, it is flanked by two semi-octagonal bastions with corbels overcome sharp embankments. This fortress door opens onto a small oasis, a haven of ten acres where the tranquility is interrupted occasionally by slamming billed storks. Closed and enchanting landscape, garden with a magical atmosphere where the shrine of the founder is a valley where the winds source Ain Mdafa.