Hidden in the harsh splendor of the Tafraout desert of Morocco is a blissful scene that takes you beyond the mundane. The Painted Rocks of Tafraout embody the creativity of people and the everlasting effect that love has on them. In 1984, this outdoor museum was personally curated by the visionary Belgian artist Jean Verame and attracts people from all four corners of the world who want to immerse themselves in an explosion of colors.

Transforming Grief into Masterpiece

Verame took this extraordinary idea to heart, and his inspiration came from a very personal place: a passionate desire to remember and keep his wife’s memory alive. After the pain, it was a gem of unparalleled dimensions in the painting of the granite, which was beautiful and lively. With the help of the daring firemen of Tafraout, Verame, with her power, moved about the area carrying with her 18 tons of paint, and through precision and passion, she gave life to the barrister of the place and gave it an amazing color.

A Canvas of Vibrant Hues

As one gets closer to the Painted Rocks, the first thing you notice is the size of the project—it looks really big. Mighty monuments, which once featured no individuality in their natural state, now become tall reminders of artistic wit. The granite surface becomes the ideal backdrop for Verame as each painted stork brings the stones to life and imparts them with a strong feel of flow and movement.

A Palette of Emotion

The composition that Verame has chosen is as assorted as it is prominent, with the tones of bright blue, delicate pink, flamboyant red, and profound black all twisting together simultaneously across the field of view. And as the sunbeams dance above the colored surface, the rocks start to move, generating hypnotizing shadows and reflections that captivate the palate of the senses.

How to get there

This trip to the mesmerizing realm of the Painted Stones of Tafraout is a journey that, by itself, will catch your mind’s eye and make the toughest road worth traveling. No city in Morocco can be compared to the one located more than 300 meters above sea level, Tafraout, in the middle of the Anti-Atlas mountains. Being close to various transport routes as well as being accessible by several means, the town is accommodating. If those who come by air are the first to disembark at Al Massira Airport, which serves as the main airport in this area, after this, travelers will be able to take the most beautiful road, where they will see numerous lakes, steep vineyards, and villages. In contrast,  buses and taxis are the alternative options when it comes to cities like Agadir and Marrakech because they easily connect visitors directly to Tafraout, which is the gateway to experiencing a vibrant culture and really amazing nature experiences. For travellers heading to Tafraout station in search of the painted rocks, local guides and trekking organisers are always on hand to ensure a seamless adventure and safe arrival at the final destination.