Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen (known locally as Chaouen) is also known as the Blue City. This is simply because the houses in the Medina are painted in white and blue. 

The entrance to the riad

Why blue?

One reason given is that blue will drive away the mosquitoes

But I am more incline to believe that it was because the Jews that came here painted their houses in white and blue. The reason being that blue symbolizes the sky and heaven.

Riad Casa Hassan

A riad is a traditional Moroccan house which has been turned into a hotel.  We had the opportunity to spend one night in a riad here.

The front door of the riad

Walking to the Riad

We have to walk to our Riad in the Medina from the car park. 

Bab Nokba

the entrance into the Medina

We bought 2 kg of figs here

The first sign of blue

Place Uta el-Hamman 

The Grand Mosque

The 17th century octagonal minaret

The fountain

Chefchaouen from the hill

We stopped here to see Chefchaouen from the hill.

Olive oil mill

Morocco is the world's fifth largest producer of olive oil. We visited one olive oil mill on our way to Chefchaouen.

The olives are crushed before being press for their oil.

Crushing machine

Lunch at Motel Rif

Harira

Mixed seafood

Pit stop

Tea break.

Mint Tea

A petrol station