Mellah of Rabat, Rabat

The Mellah of Rabat is a relatively “new” of all the ancient quarters in the city. It was created only in 1808, during the reign of Sultan Moulay Slimane ben Mohammed, and was formerly reserved for the Jews, who were forced to settle here in a sort of enclave, surrounded by walls, with several entry points.

Set on the cliffs overlooking the Bouregreg river, the Mellah has its own distinctive character, unsimilar to that of other local neighborhoods, with the atmosphere animated by merchants, street vendors and other activities scattered in its alleys swarming with shoppers.

The Jews built entire neighborhoods within the Mellah, baptizing the streets in their own fashion by using family names, such as Rue du Rabbi Shalom Zoaui or Rue David-Cohen. The former street is where the Rabbi Shalom Zaoui synagogue is located, near Bab Diouana and contiguous to the Andalusian wall of the Medina. It was named after Rabbi Shalom Zaoui (born circa 1839 and died circa 1918) greatly respected and revered by the community, and is established in his former house.

The synagogue is accessed through a courtyard painted bright red. It follows the Moorish architectural style distinguished by the three-lobed shapes of the windows and the lamps similar to those found in mosques.