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22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Chefchaouen – A Blue City in Morocco

Chefchaouen has a very special landscape, as it was built on the side of a mountain. This feature, in addition to the fact that the facades of the houses are painted blue and white, makes the city fascinating, as it appears bathed in blue. The city was founded in 1471 by Moors who came from Andalusia after the Reconquista. During the 15th century, the city received many Jews, who fled the Spanish Inquisition and settled in Morocco, until the mid-20th century, when they left Morocco and, according to reports, moved to Israel. The fact that many Jews have lived in the city since the 15th century is attributed to the color blue, the influence left by the Jewish people, as blue has a strong religious meaning. To this day, the origin of blue-toned architecture has not been officially confirmed, but its charm is undeniable. The city's scenery is one of the most photographed in Morocco and attracts tourists from all over the world.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2024
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: Chefchaouen, Morocco
Camera: SM-S908E
Copyright: © Antonia Santamaria Queiroz Lima