
Mellah of Rabat, Rabat
The Mellah of Rabat stands as a testament to the unique Jewish history of Morocco. Unlike other historical quarters in the city, the Mellah of Rabat is relatively new, having been established in 1808 during the reign of Sultan Moulay Slimane ben Mohammed. Initially conceived as a designated enclave for the Jewish community, it was enclosed by walls with multiple entry points, reflecting the broader historical trend of Jewish segregation within Moroccan cities.
Perched on the cliffs overlooking the Bouregreg River, the Mellah of Rabat developed a character distinct from other neighborhoods in the city. Its streets, alive with merchants and vendors, became a hub of commerce and daily interaction. Jewish residents built entire neighborhoods within the Mellah, naming streets after prominent families such as Rue du Rabbi Shalom Zaoui and Rue David-Cohen, underscoring their deep-rooted presence in the area.
Historically, mellahs in Morocco functioned as designated Jewish quarters, often located near the royal palace, a citadel, or the residence of the governor. This placement was strategic, ensuring proximity to Jewish administrators who held key positions within the governing framework. While originally intended as spaces of segregation, mellahs also fostered close-knit Jewish communities that developed their markets, synagogues, cemeteries, and social institutions.
Trade was vital in Rabat’s Mellah, with Jewish merchants and artisans driving commerce. Positioned near trade routes, its market attracted both Jewish and Muslim buyers, fostering cultural exchange despite physical separation. Though conditions declined over time, the Mellah remained a key center of Jewish communal life, with synagogues, kosher markets, and schools.
The Mellah of Rabat, though relatively younger than other Jewish quarters in Morocco, remains an important historical and cultural site. It tells the story of a community that, despite imposed separations, thrived through commerce, religious life, and cultural resilience. Today, remnants of the Mellah, such as the Rabbi Shalom Zaoui Synagogue and the lively streets that once bustled with trade, continue to echo the legacy of Rabat’s Jewish past.
Perched on the cliffs overlooking the Bouregreg River, the Mellah of Rabat developed a character distinct from other neighborhoods in the city. Its streets, alive with merchants and vendors, became a hub of commerce and daily interaction. Jewish residents built entire neighborhoods within the Mellah, naming streets after prominent families such as Rue du Rabbi Shalom Zaoui and Rue David-Cohen, underscoring their deep-rooted presence in the area.
Historically, mellahs in Morocco functioned as designated Jewish quarters, often located near the royal palace, a citadel, or the residence of the governor. This placement was strategic, ensuring proximity to Jewish administrators who held key positions within the governing framework. While originally intended as spaces of segregation, mellahs also fostered close-knit Jewish communities that developed their markets, synagogues, cemeteries, and social institutions.
Trade was vital in Rabat’s Mellah, with Jewish merchants and artisans driving commerce. Positioned near trade routes, its market attracted both Jewish and Muslim buyers, fostering cultural exchange despite physical separation. Though conditions declined over time, the Mellah remained a key center of Jewish communal life, with synagogues, kosher markets, and schools.
The Mellah of Rabat, though relatively younger than other Jewish quarters in Morocco, remains an important historical and cultural site. It tells the story of a community that, despite imposed separations, thrived through commerce, religious life, and cultural resilience. Today, remnants of the Mellah, such as the Rabbi Shalom Zaoui Synagogue and the lively streets that once bustled with trade, continue to echo the legacy of Rabat’s Jewish past.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rabat. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Mellah of Rabat on Map






Sight Name: Mellah of Rabat
Sight Location: Rabat, Morocco (See walking tours in Rabat)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Rabat, Morocco (See walking tours in Rabat)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Rabat, Morocco
Create Your Own Walk in Rabat
Creating your own self-guided walk in Rabat is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Rabat Shopping Walk
Rabat is heaven for those who love shopping. Indeed, the abundance of shopping opportunities – traditional markets and shopping streets – in this city gives no reason to doubt that. There you can find all kinds of oriental delights you can possibly think of.
One of Rabat's top shopping destinations is Consuls Street (rue des Consuls). Steeped in a 500-year history, this street houses... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
One of Rabat's top shopping destinations is Consuls Street (rue des Consuls). Steeped in a 500-year history, this street houses... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Rabat Introduction Walking Tour
Resting on the shores of the Bouregreg River and Atlantic Ocean, the capital city of Morocco, Rabat, is known for its picturesque natural surroundings, much as for its man-made beauty manifested in a mix of old and new architecture (featuring Islamic and French-colonial styles), abundance of mosques and historic monuments. The Medina (Old City) of Rabat is a World Heritage Site.
Rabat was... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Rabat was... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles