Even if you’ve never been to Morocco, you’ve probably heard of Chefchaouen – the blue oasis of this African country. The walls of this city are covered in blue paint, and if you want to learn why they look this way – buckle up, since it’s quite a journey.
The blue-tinted walls turned Chefchaouen into one of Morocco’s most Instagrammable attractions, but no one’s 100% certain why they look this way. There are many theories surrounding their origin, some wilder than others.
According to one theory, the Jewish communities painted the streets of Chefchaouen blue after finding refuge in the city in the 1930s. This color symbolizes the sky and heaven, and it’s a reminder to lead a spiritual life.
Other theories are rooted in more practical reasons – the walls were painted blue because this color keeps mosquitos away and keeps houses cool during summer.
Soma locals even go so far to claim that Chefchaouen was painted blue as a way to attract tourists because this color is calming and visually striking.