An ancient Moroccan city, the first mention of it in historical writings dates back to the Almohad era in Morocco before the Andalusian rule, specifically in the eleventh century AD, and at the time it was called the city of "Chilla". It is one of the most important Moroccan cities because of its proximity to the capital, Rabat, and because it borders the Atlantic Ocean, so it is considered a transit point between different Moroccan cities, but this is not all that distinguishes it, as the city’s residents are famous for their various handicrafts and the wonderful open markets that sell various high-quality goods. There are many festivals and events held throughout the year, which in turn bring tourists to the city from all sides. This city is also called "the city of pirates", as pirates lived in it in the seventeenth century, who invaded many European cities, and there are several museums in the city that talk about the history of these pirates and display some of the archaeological artifacts they collected.