Chefchaouen (Spanish: Xauen) is a town in northwest Morocco. Chefchaouen is situated in the Rif Mountains, just inland from Tangier and Tetouan. The town was founded in 1471, as a fortress, by Moorish exiles from Spain led by Moulay Ali Ben Moussa Ben Rached El Alami to fight the Portuguese invasions of northern
Morocco. It was known as one of the main concentrations of Moriscos and Jews who sought refuge in this mountainous city after the Spanish Reconquista in medieval
times. In 1920, the Spanish seized Chefchaouen to form part of Spanish Morocco and returned it after the independence of Morocco in 1956.
Moroccans, is a popular tourist destination given its proximity to Tangier and the Spanish border. The name simply refers to the characteristic shapes of the mountain tops that tower over the town, that look like the two horns (chaoua) of a goat. "Chef Chaouen" should literally mean "look at the horns". Though there are few modern sights, its mountainous location provides a calm and relaxing atmosphere. There are allegedly over two hundred hotels in this tiny mountain village in order to host the summer swarm of European tourists. One distinction possessed by Chefchaouen is its blue-rinsed houses and buildings, a tradition that comes from the town's former Jewish population. Chefchaouen is a popular shopping destination as well, as it offers many native handicrafts that are not available elsewhere in Morocco, such as wool garments and woven blankets. The goat cheese native to the area is also popular with tourists.
