Antonella Tomassi
Antonella Tomassi
Italy Antonella Tomassi MFIAP Authors

​Blue dream

Lose yourself among the infinite shades of blue in the streets of Chefchaouen, in its Medina that climbs up the mountain, among alleys, houses and visions from a blue dream. Walls, doors, windows and balconies, but also narrow streets and stairways, shops, fountains and flower pots: it is all a palette of infinite blues, like an ancient ocean where you can sail freely and lose yourself. Chefchaouen has a special charm, made up of discretion, courtesy and hospitality. Its blue, a noble colour, and all its thousand shades of Medina give it a relaxed and authentic atmosphere. Hidden among the Rif mountains in the north, long isolated, it has been one of Morocco's best-kept secrets for so long that it is not known for certain when or why the custom of painting buildings blue was introduced. It is said that the city was painted blue by Jews who had taken refuge here to escape persecution in Europe, for whom the colour blue symbolised Paradise. Wandering through its narrow streets, it is impossible not to stop and look into the houses and craft shops that enrich the streets. Cars are not allowed to drive through the streets, leaving children free to play. For centuries, tissues have been woven in the city using wool produced by shepherds, creating the warm hooded djellabas that men and women have always worn to navigate the blue ocean of Chefchaouen's dreams.

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