Travel tales from Tangier
Tangier the archway to Morocco’s mystique…
Chefchaouen is a city located in northwest Morocco also known as The Blue Pearl given most of the buildings are painted a shade of blue.
Once a fortress city it clings to the side of the Rif Mountains at 600metres above sea level, and is the perfect distraction to break the journey when travelling between Tangier to Fes, either stopping overnight or as I did, spending a few hours with a guide to stretch your legs and discover more
The history of Chefchaouen is fascinating, however, the question everyone asks is why Blue?
It’s not straightforward and I’ll try my best to explain, first some history.
The Berber, Jebala tribes were the original inhabitants of the northern Morocco territories. The Chefchaouen settlement was founded in 1471, by Moulay Ali Ben Moussa Ben Rached El Alami, as a small fortress and today is the Kasbah. The fortress protected the town from the Portuguese invaders who were, at the time, attacking northern areas of Morocco.
After the fall of Granada in 1492 and the years following, the Moors and Jews were expelled from Spain immigrating to northern Morocco with many settling in Chefchaouen and building their homes in the Andalusian style, similar to the homes in Spain.
These homes were built in Islamic style, with an inner courtyard and decorated with fruit trees at their centre, however, the use of archways was a hint of their Andalusian, Spanish descent.
Quickly, the small settlement grew beyond the fortress walls at which time began the construction of the medina.
During the mid-1700s the Jewish neighbourhood or Mellah was created and buildings were painted light blue.
From 1920 the city was part of the Spanish Protectorate of Morocco until 1956 when Morocco gained its independence from colonial rule and most of the northern parts of the country were relinquished by Spain.
How did the whole city become blue, there are many theories, some listed here.
🩵 Jewish culture and custom –
As blue is the colour of the sky it is symbolic of Heaven and is a reminder to observe a spiritual life and the colour was therefore added throughout the city.
🩵 Keeping Cool, calm and happy –
The pale blue tones, provide a cooling effect to the eye and make the residents feel less hot. The colour reflects the hot sun off buildings when living in the arid climate of the Rif Mountains and it has a calming effect where in Islamic culture, blue is a sign of optimism.
🩵 Mosquito deterrent –
Stories say the Jewish Mellah part of the city had fewer mosquitoes and the thought was the pale shades of blue repelled the biting insects.
🩵 Symbol of the Mediterranean Sea –
It reminded people of their descendants and links to the Mediterranean Sea.
🩵 Tourism –
Chefchaouen is located a little off the tourist track between the larger and more popular cities of Tangier and Fes. Painting all the buildings blue certainly created something to attract tourists.
However, no matter, the theory of the blue walls, Chefchaouen is an interesting and very photogenic destination enticing over 100,000 tourists each year.
If Morocco is on your travel list, a visit to Chefchaouen should be considered.
Please take a look here or contact me and I’d be happy to chat.
My next stop is one of the four Imperial cities ~ the magestic city of Meknes 💚✨💚
Nicole x
Related Posts
Chefchaouen – The Enchanting Blue City
Morocco’s blue town is Chefchaouen, also called The Blue Pearl…
Roman Ruins at Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes, a side trip on the way to Fes…
Departing Chefchaouen we took the road south towards Fes…
Meet me in Mystical Fes
The Fes Medina is the world’s oldest and largest pedestrian free zone. Founded in 789AD, it has more than 9000 lanes…
Morocco’s Erg Chebbi – Sahara Desert
Travelling south from Fes towards the town of Merzouga on the outskirts of Morocco’s Sahara