Monthly Archives: August 2009

Today we are going on a virtual trip to Chefchaouen in Morocco which is the location of this gorgeous riad. A riad by the way is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden. The walls of riads are often adorned with tadelakt plaster and zellige tiles. The style of these riads has changed over the years, but the basic form is still used in designs today. Recently there has been a surge in interest in this form of house after a new vogue of renovation in towns such as Marrakech or Essaouira where many of these often-crumbling buildings have been restored to their former glory. Many riads are now used as hotels or restaurants.

These images are shot by Spanish photographer Jordi Canosa, who works for various international magazines.

A little bit of history: Chefchaouen is situated in the Rif Mountains, just inland from Tangier and Tetouan. The city was founded in 1471, as a small fortress which still exists to this day, by Moorish exiles from Spain. Chefchaouen or Chaouen, as it is often called by Moroccans, is a popular tourist destination because of its proximity to Tangier and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The name refers to the shape of the mountain tops above the town, that look like the two horns (chaoua) of a goat. “Chef Chaouen” literally means “look at the horns”.

One distinction possessed by Chefchaouen is its blue-rinsed houses and buildings, a tradition that comes from the town’s former Jewish population. The city is a popular shopping destination, as it offers many native handicrafts that are not available elsewhere in Morocco, such as wool garments and woven blankets.

(images by Jordi Canosa / styled by Daniela Cavestany)