Wonderland: Morocco’s Blue Pearl
With the progress at the 2022 World Cup Finals, the country of Morocco (Morocco) is attracting a lot of attention. This is a country located in northwestern Africa, but is close to Spain when only 13km, across a strait. Besides, Morocco is also bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the North and East.
Not only achievements in the sport of kings, the tourist destinations of this country are also extremely attractive in the eyes of tourists. Besides the capital Rabat, the largest cities in the country such as Casablanca or indigenous fairs, old craft villages, there is a place in Morocco that is very popular with tourists in the past 5 years, and like the land that came out of a comic book.
This city is located on the Rif mountain, in the northwest of the country and is distinguished by buildings with distinctive colors. It’s the city of Chefchaouen.
Chefchaouen – The city with a typical blue color in Morocco
According to Wikipedia , the city of Chefchaouen was founded in 1471 as the town of Chaouen. It was originally a fortress, with an area of nearly 3500 square kilometers. In 1975, the city was renamed to its current name. “Chefchaouen” means to look at the horns, referring to the two peaks overlooking the area.
Besides the main name, the city is better known by the nickname “Blue Pearl” or “Blue City” because of the color of the buildings. As mentioned above, there is a theory that this place was once a fortress. Its purpose was to become a shelter for deported Jews. Also because of the Jewish culture, they painted the entire fortress area a colorful sky blue.
The city of Chefchaouen stands out with its blue buildings, located on a mountain. (Photo Here Magazine)
Therefore, since then, all buildings in the city have been painted in such a blue color, this habit is still maintained to this day. The old buildings and houses are still kept in the same state as when they were newly established.
According to some recorded documents, the choice of blue, not any other color, is not due to architectural or artistic factors, but about religion. Blue means representing the sky, conveying religious beliefs. People here also believe that blue brings hope and faith with a new vitality full of happiness.
Images of the Green Pearl in Morocco began to appear and became famous on social networks from around 2015. Many visitors said that coming to Chefchaouen is no different from setting foot in a fairyland because of the unreality. it brings.
Coming to Chefchaouen, visitors seem to be entering a fairyland, a fairy tale by covering a characteristic green color. (Photo TH)
Due to the ancient architecture, the houses here are small and close together. At a glance, it will feel like this house is on top of the other. Following the small trails, from the walls, the window frames, the interior decorations or even the small potted plants, there is also the appearance of characteristic green, covering almost cover the entire city.
From buildings that are several hundred years old, to newly built, when there are signs of discoloration, people will immediately restore them. Or every 2 years, people will also check and repaint the buildings.
Every 2 years, people in Chefchaouen will renovate and restore so that the green color of the buildings remains intact. (Photo Rough Guides)
The best time to go to “Blue Pearl”
Chefchaouen has a typical Mediterranean climate. Here, winter is cool and rainy, lasting from October to April next year. The summer is dry and hot, lasting from May to September. Visitors can choose according to their needs and personal preferences.
Not only visiting, taking pictures with green buildings, visitors can learn more about the indigenous culture of Muslims, enjoy traditional dishes such as Naan bread, Tanzine stews or simply Simply sit and sip a cup of coffee and watch the cats walking on the street, on the rooftops.
Photo: @the_everywhereist_girls
Some other important notes for visitors when visiting the city of Chefchaouen are to note when you want to take photos of the indigenous people. When traveling, many people love this because people are the clearest evidence for the culture and lifestyle of a land.
In Chefchaouen in particular as well as in Morocco in general, visitors should limit taking photos of indigenous people. They will turn away or cover their faces if they see you taking their picture. If you want to take pictures of them, especially street vendors, buy some of their stuff and ask for permission with a clear purpose in mind when taking the photo. If you know how to talk, maybe you will even be invited home to dine with traditional dishes.
Most of the locals in Chefchaouen don’t like being photographed by tourists. (Photo TravelingWolf)
