THE BLUEST CITY ON THE PLANET IS INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL NOW

CHEFCHAOUEN

The bluest city, by far, on our fair blue planet is, and always has been, Chefchaouen, in northwest Morocco, in the Rif Mountains. It’s an incredibly beautiful place.

Founded in 1471, Chefchaouen (aka Chaouen; Berber: ⴰⵛⵛⴰⵡⵏ, Arabic: شفشاون/الشاون‎‎) was built as a small fortress to ward off the Portuguese pressing invasions.

It filled up and grew, with a mix of regional Berber tribes as well as Jewish refugees of the Spanish Inquisition. Native residents live today in the same traditions as their 15th Century ancestors did.

Chefchaouen narrow streets and stepped alleyways are lined with vivid blue walls, doorways, lamp posts, and gates.

Everything, from cubby holes to mosques, is painted in brilliant shades of blue, from cobalt, to turquoise, to aquamarine.

In ancient Jewish tradition, blue is said to mirror the sky, inspiring people to connect with their spiritual sides.

Being immersed in blue, as one is in the middle of Chefchaouen, is calming and cooling. Fields of blue offer a contrasting backdrop to the people and animals living in their midst.

Beyond the remarkable blues, many glorious colors unfurl at Chefchaouen markets, where you can find native handicrafts, not sold anywhere else in Morocco.

Cats also have a special place in the heart of Chefchaouen residents. They offer an extraordinary contrast as they sit, stand, and play against the breathtaking blue backdrops in this bluer than blue city.

And, if you want to color your world from the inside, Chefchaouen is one of the main producers of cannabis in Morocco -- mostly sold in the forms of kief and hashish.

Want more color packed places to visit? Check out this BN post.

Read more about Beautiful Blue in Read more about Beautiful Blue in Beautiful Blue Inspirations Now, A Whole New Beautiful Blue, Eat Drink True Blue and The Art of Blue on a Grand Scale.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact Daily Fix posts.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Fred Dunn. “Chefchaouen Street." Chefchaouen, Morocco.
2. Image: by Thomas Maluck. “Blue Mama.” Chefchaouen, Morocco.
3. Image: by Catchpenny. “Chefchaouen.” Chefchaouen, Morocco.
4. Image: by Singa Hitam. “Chefchaouen.” Chefchaouen, Morocco.
5. Image: by Catchpenny. “Chefchaouen. The Entrance to the Hotel Courtyard.” Chefchaouen, Morocco.
6. Image: by Evgeni Zotov. “Chefchaouen.” Chefchaouen, Morocco.
7. Image: by Franx'. “Chefchaouen.” Chefchaouen, Morocco.
8. Image: by Singa Hitam. “Chefchaouen.” Chefchaouen, Morocco.
9. Image: by Hokman To. “Chaouen Cats.” Chefchaouen, Morocco.
10. Image: by Admanchester. ”Chefchaouen.” Chefchaouen, Morocco.
11. Image: by Admanchester. ”Chefchaouen.” Chefchaouen, Morocco.
12. Image: by Franx'. “Chefchaouen.” Chefchaouen, Morocco.
13. Image: by Erik G. Trigos. “Chefchaouen.” Chefchaouen, Morocco.
14. Image: by BN App - Download now!
15. Image: by Scott Roberts. “Colourings.” Chefchaouen, Morocco.