Offbeat Traveler: Juzcar, Spain painted blue for ‘Smurfs’ movie
If you’re feeling blue this summer, perhaps a visit to Juzcar, a village in the Andalusia region of Spain, will perk you up. Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation had the village painted blue to promote the new movie “The Smurfs.” The film, which opens July 29 in the U.S., is based on the comic-book series created by Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford (also known as Peyo). The comic was also a popular TV cartoon in the 1980s.
Juzcar, near the southern tip of Spain about 40 miles west of Malaga, will remain blue until September, when buildings will be returned to their original white. In case you can’t visit the village while it’s blue, other sights include a 16th century church and the ruins of an 18th century tin factory. Here’s a look at the village, before and after its paint job.
-- Jason La
