General Information About Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is one of the most picturesque villages of Morroco. The white houses with orange tiles are built against the hills. Windows and doors are painted in blue. That is why it’s called “the Blue City”. Most houses have a patio.The medina is a maze of narrow and steep streets. It is also a city full of weavers and craftsmen, witness are the many shops with artifacts .
How to get there (By bus or collective taxi)?
- From Fez: by bus and taxi
- From Meknés: by bus take 6 hours
- From Tetouan: collective tax
- From Al-Hoceima: by bus take 8 Hours
The History and The Culture of Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen was founded by the Moorish exiles from Spain in 1492 and is situated near the Rif Mountains. It is a small fortress town that was formerly used by the people of Chefchaouen to fight against the Portuguese entering Morocco. Chefchaouen is also referred as Chaouen by the Moroccans and derives its name from the high mountains rising above the town and look like two horns of a goat. The word literally means look at the horns. The call to prayer that sounds from the mosques in the town is a very blissful experience. Most of the houses are colored like a nice blue sky and it comes from the tradition of former Jewish population. The Berber rebel leader Abdel Karim ruled the city from 1921 to 1926. He was defeated in 1926 by the Spanish troops and was imprisoned in the Kasbah. Spain ruled over the city for thirty year after which it was handed over to Morocco.
