The ramparts and gates

It is an enclosure that takes the form of an irregular pentagon, with the longest side (northwest face) measuring approximately 300 meters in length, and the shortest (southeast face) about 80 meters. The wall has an average height of 6 to 9 meters and a thickness of 1.60 meters, allowing for the existence of a continuous 1.10-meter-wide wall walk. Along this walk runs a parapet with loopholes of oval shape supporting merlons made of rammed earth.

These towers have irregular dimensions, measuring approximately 5 meters wide by 3.50 to 3.90 meters in projection.
These towers have a unique plan. They are hollow and consist of three levels: the first, the lower one, is a chamber measuring 2.50 meters by 2.50 meters, constructed in rammed earth and covered by a dome on a pendant, except for some towers in the southeast facade which contain barrel vaults. Above, an upper chamber is accessible through an opening and includes an arch in the middle supporting the floor with joists and planks. The top level consists of a platform surrounded by a crenelated parapet, with battlements similar to those of the rampart.

The main gate of Chellah is a single bend, opening inward to the southeast, with a decorated octagonal tower on each side. The external opening is reinforced by two masonry pillars connected by a beam.

The exterior face is richly decorated with closely spaced stone lines and finely calculated architectural lines. This gate contains several elements, including a frieze, an epigraphic band, voussoirs, and two superimposed arches.

The lower arch is adorned with lobes formed by two interlacing ribbons and decorated with motifs such as a shell topped by a fleuron from a palm tree and surrounded by two pinecones. The upper arch has a less pronounced break, rests on two simply outlined columns, and is also adorned with interlacing ribbons, a central shell and pinecones.

The main gate supports two spandrels furnished with a vegetal interlace, an inscription forming a rectangular frame providing information about the builder and the date of construction and completion of the work.
This inscription describes the context as follows:

« I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan! In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful! May Allah bestow prayers upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and grant them peace!
The construction of the ramparts of this blessed ribat was ordered by our Master, the Sultan, the Emir of the Muslims, Abu El Hassan, son of our Master, the Sultan, the sanctified, the object of divine mercy, Abu Saïd, son of our Master, the Sultan, the Emir of the Muslims, the sanctified, the object of divine mercy, Abu Yousuf, son of Abd El ‘Haqq. May Allah perpetuate their empire! This construction was completed at the end of Dhu al-Hijja in the year 739.
The date corresponds to July 8, 1339 ».

The ensemble is crowned with a muqarnas frieze (engraving) and reaches a total height of 9.95 meters. A simple corridor covered with a brick vault ensures access to the interior of the blessed (Bond) Ribat (Al-Ribat al-Mokaddas).
Above the epigraphic band, you would notice a high frieze with a series of blind arches numbering thirteen, resting on small engaged twisted columns.
On either side of each tower’s platforms, there are four lobed medallions bearing eulogies in Kufic script, mentioning:

1. « AL Moulkoû lillah »: Sovereignty belongs to God.
2. « AL Izate lillah »: Glory to God.
3. « AL Baqaou lillah »: Perpetuity belongs to God.
4. « AL Azamat lillah »: Greatness to God.

It is a simple bend gate, appearing extremely plain on the interior face of the enclosure.

Ain Jenna Gate consists of a slightly broken, pointed brick arch, measuring 4.40 meters from the keystone to the ancient ground and 2.66 meters wide. On each side of this arch, there is a pillar made of ashlar stones to support it, embedded in the rammed earth of the wall. At the upper angles, two uneven flat stones resemble wood fragments.

The gate has four portals, two inside the bend forming a rectangle, and two outside in ashlar stones. The gate is decorated with ornamental motifs and construction lines of merlon designs, found only on an inner portal.

The elevation of the ground has resulted in the burial of the gate above the springing of the arch.

Similar to the main gate, the gardens gate has an exterior facade in ashlar stones with thick joint mortar. The arch, 3 meters wide and broken, was defined by a series of voussoirs.
The spandrels are bare and slightly set back. The rectangle of the gate is delimited by two ashlar pilasters supporting two large consoles, and the lateral faces bear a serpentine motif. Behind the portal, in each side, there is the start of a barrel vault made of bricks.