Must See: Chefchaouen, Morocco

Dive into the blue with a photo diary of Morocco’s most amazing mountainside town, Chefchaouen.

Nestled at the foothills of the Rif Mountain range, Chefchaouen sits quietly, as if waiting to be discovered. Meanwhile, its blue walls are bursting in color with powerful yet calming energy. As you snake through the city’s slender cobblestone walk streets, an aromatic musk fills the air, and the smell of spices rises higher into the cloudless Moroccan sky. Stray cats meander near your feet, kittens sunbathe in the corner. In your wandering, Berber men donning colorful floor-length djellabas make proud attempts to sell you their wares — camel hair rugs, jewelry, bags, wool clothing…it’s all here, and it’s beautiful.

Chefchaouen, or Chaouen for short, was founded in 1471 as a small fortress, a settlement for Jewish refugees who fled the Spanish Inquisition. It’s said that these villagers painted the once white walls in hues of blue to mirror the sky, serving as a constant reminder of God, heaven and spirituality. Every spring, the residents nourish them with fresh paint, pride flowing in every brush stroke. Chefchaouen is a secret haven of a noble and beautiful people, a place for your soul to feel at ease and where peace permeates your mind. Explore Morocco’s blue city below!

+Be sure check out the behind the scenes and Polaroid photos from our most recent catalog, shot in Morocco!

Follow Joanna on Instagram.

Must See: Chefchaouen, Morocco Must See: Chefchaouen, Morocco Must See: Chefchaouen, Morocco Must See: Chefchaouen, Morocco Must See: Chefchaouen, Morocco

Must See: Chefchaouen, Morocco
Free People Blog