1884 (Morocco, Chefchaouen)

In the alleys of Chefchaouen, the “blue city” of northern Morocco, each facade displays a unique shade, in a range of blues that has made the city famous. This choice of color became popular in the 1930s, at the time when this region was under Spanish protectorate , unlike most of the country under French protectorate .

This colonial division left distinct traces in urban planning, language, and local cultural influences. In Chefchaouen, the inscriptions and administrative system in place until independence were Spanish-speaking, and the city remains Spanish-speaking in some of its daily practices today.

Blue, associated with Sephardic Jewish tradition, was also reinforced by the presence of Jewish communities fleeing Franco's Spain, but it is also used for its practical properties: it repels mosquitoes and keeps houses cool. On this facade, the number 1884 does not indicate a date but a house number , often affixed to paint, without an official plaque.

Chefchaouen embodies a unique Morocco , influenced by Andalusia, colonial Spain, and an isolated topography that has fostered a distinct lifestyle. A city where color becomes language, between memory, spirituality, and contemporary tourism.