CHEFCHAOUEN: THE BLUE CITY
Chefchaouen is hidden in the middle of the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco and is one of Africa’s most famous destinations. Known as the Blue City, with all its streets having blue-dyed walls, it is one of the most sought-after locations by influencers, photographers, and Instagram fanatics.
THE HISTORY OF CHEFCHAOUEN
The entire Rif Mountains region is considered sacred, being a famous pilgrimage site where ancient local prophets are buried. The city of Chefchaouen was founded in 1471 by Moulay Ali Ben Rachid, a follower of one of these prophets, who used the village as a base against Portuguese attacks.
There is a more romantic version of Chefchaouen’s origin. This version says that Ben Rachid and Lalla Zhora were expelled from Spain and returned to Morocco. Seeing his beloved’s sadness, Ben decided to create a city similar to Lalla’s hometown, giving rise to Chefchaouen, a calm and peaceful city with its narrow streets and blue alleys.
For centuries, with the arrival of Jewish and Muslim refugees from the Christian reconquest of Spain, Chefchaouen closed itself off completely to foreigners. The isolation was so strong that when the Spanish arrived in 1920, they were surprised to find Jews still speaking a language that hadn’t been heard in Spain for 400 years!
WHY IS CHEFCHAOUEN BLUE?
Chefchaouen’s biggest attraction is the blue color of the walls of its houses. But why were they painted this color?
There is no proven reason.
The most accepted theory is that, during the Spanish Inquisition, shortly after the city’s founding in the 15th century, several Sephardic Jews migrated there, and as a Jewish custom, they painted the area they inhabited blue, as a reminder that God and the sky are above all else.
In addition, at that time, the region was said to be infested with mosquitoes, and the Arabs, seeing that the mosquitoes did not linger in the Jewish area of the city, decided to copy and paint the rest of the city blue. This is due to the fact that mosquitoes associate the color with water, as the insects like to be near it but not inside it. Whether the color repels mosquitoes or not is unknown, but the Blue City certainly attracts a swarm of tourists who ensure the tradition endures.
WHAT TO DO IN CHEFCHAOUEN
WALK THROUGH THE MEDINA
The Medina of Chefchaouen differs from others in the country because virtually all houses and streets are painted blue, making every little corner perfect for a photo.
The Medina of Chefchaouen was built at the time of the site’s foundation in the 15th century. Much of its architecture is still preserved from that time.
The Medina is now very focused on tourism, so expect to see several stalls selling Moroccan lamps, leather goods, clothing, and dyes. In addition to highlighting the architecture, a walk through the Medina also serves to observe the daily lives of the locals, making bread, selling fish, and performing their prayers.
UTA EL-HAMMAM SQUARE
Uta El-Hammām Square is the heart of the Chefchaouen Medina, being a central point in the city, with its cafes, kebab shops, and souvenir stands. It is the perfect place to enjoy a mint tea late in the afternoon.
It is where the city’s old Kasbah is located. The atmosphere of the square is very fresh, tree-lined, and full of restaurants, which, due to being an extremely popular place among tourists, can often be more expensive than those seen in the smaller alleys of the Medina.
KASBAH MUSEUM
The Kasbah Museum is a museum that operates inside the old palace of the sultan and founder of the city. The construction was erected in the 18th century, after the expulsion of the English from the region, to protect the area from the Portuguese and Spanish.
The architecture of the Kasbahs is impressive, as they are palaces built entirely of earth (adobe) that have lasted for centuries. It is possible to have a panoramic view of the city from the top of one of the Kasbah’s towers, in addition to visiting its old prison and its internal courtyards.
The Kasbah Museum stands out for having a good collection of historical artifacts. Among them are tools used by inhabitants of the region during prehistory, Greek and Roman artifacts from when northern Morocco was occupied by the Roman Empire, objects from the Roman city of Volubilis, as well as local jewelry pieces from the 16th century.
GREAT MOSQUE
The Great Mosque is located in Uta El-Hammām Square, next to the Kasbah Museum, making it very easy to locate. It stands out for its octagonal-shaped minaret. It was built in the 15th century at the behest of the founder’s son and differs from other mosques in the country due to its octagonal minaret. Its architecture was inspired by what is seen in southern Spain, in Andalusia.
Unfortunately, visitors who are not Muslim can only observe the mosque from the outside.
BAB EL-SOR SQUARE
Bab El-Sor is a very beautiful and less-frequented square in Chefchaouen, but it is worth a visit. It stands out for its blue fountain covered with tiles in the center, and it is a place that the local population uses to wash clothes and stock up on water.
In addition to the fountain, the buildings on its perimeter are occupied by well-ventilated and more economical restaurants than those in Uta El-Hammām Square, making it a good option for those who want to save a little on meals.
SPANISH MOSQUE AND THE RIF MOUNTAINS
The famous Jemaa Bouzafar Mosque, also known as the Spanish Mosque, is located on top of a hill and provides the best view of Chefchaouen. The Mosque was built by the Spanish during the occupation of Morocco in 1920, as an attempt to win over the local people, but it was never well accepted. Over time, it fell into disuse and is now in ruins.
Want a bonus? Try to coincide your visit with the sunset, as you will witness an idyllic scenery.
AKCHOUR WATERFALLS
The Akchour Waterfalls are one of the hidden gems in Chefchaouen. They are located outside the city and, perhaps for this reason, are still very little explored by tourists. There are two beautiful emerald green waterfalls in the middle of the forest.
Upon arriving at the site, you need to follow a trail deep into the jungle, but it is very well marked, until you reach the waterfalls. Halfway along the path, you will find some restaurants for those who did not bring food on the trip.
CANNABIS TRADE AND PLANTATION VISITS
It may seem strange, but Morocco, such a conservative country where even alcoholic beverages are difficult to find, has its cannabis market. And one of the largest centers is precisely in Chefchaouen. For those who smoke or want to experiment, the city is the safest point in the country for this, being known as the African Amsterdam.
Many people travel to Chefchaouen to see its plantations, and there are specialized tours for this. Tours can be booked directly at your hotel.
Are you eager to visit Chefchaouen?
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