Spanish Mosque, Chefchaouen (must see)

Perched atop Chefchaouen's eastern outskirts, the Spanish Mosque unfolds a tale deeply intertwined with the city's complex history. Constructed in the mid-1920s during the Spanish colonial rule, this mosque, named "Bouzaafer" in the local dialect, stood as a strategic gesture by the Spanish authorities to win over the local populace. Commissioned by Fernando Capaz, the military governor seeking to pacify rising tensions, the mosque's Andalusian-style architecture mirrored its Spanish origin. However, the residents of Chefchaouen chose to boycott the mosque, considering it impure and, in some instances, a potential tool for espionage.

Despite sporadic calls to prayer, the mosque remained largely abandoned, succumbing to a state of disrepair after the departure of the Spaniards. It wasn't until 2007 that municipal authorities undertook the renovation of this crumbling structure as part of their broader initiative to attract tourists. While the Spanish Mosque never fulfilled its intended purpose, the scenic hilltop location offers breathtaking views of Chefchaouen, especially during picturesque sunsets.

To reach this historic site, one can exit the town through the Bab El Onsar Gate and follow a narrow hiking trail that ascends southeastwards, traversing agave plants and pear cacti along a newly paved pathway. The journey culminates in a bridge and a series of steps, revealing the intriguing remnants of the Spanish Mosque and providing a unique perspective of Chefchaouen's captivating landscape.