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Rabat – The Ministry of Culture announced yesterday, Wednesday 18, the launch of renovation works on the Marinid medersa (Marinid school) and Chellah necropolis in Rabat. The Minister of Culture, Mohamed Laaraj, gave the renovation projects the green light in the presence of the Wali (governor) of Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region, Mohamed Yaacoubi.
The project of restoring the Marinid medersa is under supervision by the Ministry of Culture and the Italian Agency of Cooperation and Development (AICS). The budget allocated for this first project is MAD 4 million. It aims to preserve the decorations inside the medersa, along with restoring its minaret, walls, and entrance.
The second project, costing MAD 7 million, concerns Chellah necropolis and its facilities. This includes its mosque, mihrab, minaret, and the mausoleum of Abi Al Hassan. The project aims to renovate all of these facilities and to preserve the area’s white stork population.
“The projects launched today are an application of the King’s directives to protect cultural heritage and preserve historical monuments of the kingdom,” said the Minister of Culture.
“The renovation projects of the Marinid medersa and Chellah necropolis are part of the ‘Rabat, City of Lights and Moroccan Culture Capital’ program, which aims to preserve and promote Rabat’s historical monuments,” added the minister.
Chellah necropolis, located 2 km away from Rabat, is the oldest cemetery on the banks of Bouregreg river. It was built in the 14th century, during the Marinid Sultanate (1244-1465), by Sultan Abu Al Hassan Ali, who reigned between 1331 and 1351. The medersa, also serving as a tomb for the sultan, was built in the same period.
