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Magnificent Zanzibar
Zanzibar sits on 1666 sq. km piece of land that lies 35km off the Indian Ocean coastline of Tanzania, north of the capital city Dar es Salaam. The archipelago has two large islands: Unguja & Pemba and many small islands such as Mnemba & Chumbe. It is the birthplace of the Swahili language and its population (97%) is predominantly Islamic.
Zanzibar is a fascinating historical destination having recorded the world’s shortest war in 1896 that lasted 38 minutes. Its capital city – Stone Town is a World Heritage Site. The magnificent island is bursting with history and culture.
The beautiful island has palm fringed beaches with white fine sands. Zanzibar is home to some of the finest beaches in East Africa among these are Paje, Pongwa, Kiwingwa, Jambiani, Nungwi, and Nakupenda. The island is an ideal honeymoon destination.
Zanzibar offers a vast range of activities for visitors on holiday, post-safari relaxation, or honeymooners and among these are: sailing on traditional local dhows, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, wind surfing, snorkeling, historical and cultural tours, beach holidays, and spa treatment.
Stone Town
It is the capital city of Zanzibar, and the largest town in the archipelago situated in the middle west of Unguja, the main island.
The town derives its name from the coral stone buildings. The buildings have an Arabic architecture with Indian decorations and design, a great example of Swahili coastal trading towns of East Africa.
The town has 6 Hindu Temples, a catholic church as well as an Anglican Cathedral and 51 mosques and their muezzin calls can be heard echoing above the narrow streets 5 times daily.
Old Fort of Zanzibar
The Arab Fort is the oldest building located in Stone Town, situated on the main seafront, adjacent to the House of Wonders, facing the Forodhani Gardens. ‘Ngome Kongwe’ as it is locally known, was built around the year 1700 by Seyyid Said’s grandfather when the Arabs seized the Island from the Portuguese. They used it to repel the Portuguese and their buddies, the Mazruis’ who occupied Mombasa.
In the 19Th century, the Fort was used as a prison and execution place during the Slave Trade and in the beginning of the 20Th century, it was converted into a depot for Bububu Railway Line, and right now, it is a cultural center with classes for henna painting, drumming, cooking, drama and music performances.
House of Wonders
It’s the largest and tallest building of Stone Town, overlooking Forodhani Gardens, with the largest curved doors in East Africa.
The grandest structure in Zanzibar houses the National Museum of History & Culture. At one time, the House of Wonders was the most modern building in East Africa and the first building to have electricity, an elevator, and running water.
The Museum conveys architectural and cultural influences of Zanzibar, Britain, Portugal, and Oman. It presents exhibitions dedicated to Swahili culture, whereas the Palace Museum highlights the historical ties between Zanzibar and Oman.
Hamamni Persian Baths
This building was built by Sultan Barghash in the late 19Th century. They were the first baths in Zanzibar to be built for public use and had separate entrances for men and women with front rooms for changing and socializing.
Old tubs can still be seen although they have no water.
Tazari Caves
These caves are situated in Nungwi, 40km on the northern Peninsular of Zanzibar covering an area of more than 100km² located a few kilometers from the Indian Ocean shores.
The caves have stalactites and stalagmites growing from both the roof and the floor with magnificent carbonate and sulphate rocks with decorative dripstones.
It’s believed that people lived in the caves for there are evidences of broken pots, foot trails, and fire places.
Another theory has it that, these caves must have been hiding places for slaves during the Sultans regime for there is evidence of broken chains which points to Arab Slave Trade.
Mtoni Palace Ruins
Mtoni means ‘The Place by the Stream’ and it owes its name to its magnificent location on the beautiful western shore of Zanzibar.
It was the largest palace on the Island during Sultan Sayyid Said reign when he moved the capital of his Oman empire from Muscat to Zanzibar and it had over a thousand people living in it. It was abandoned in 1880 leading to its ruin.
History of Zanzibar archipelago cannot be complete without mentioning Princess SalmeSayyid, the daughter of Sultan Sayyid who fell head over heels in love and escaped with a German merchant, Rudolph H. Ruete. She was later converted into a Christian and baptized Emily Ruete. She wrote her memories of Mtoni Palace during her youth and the decay she encountered several years later when she returned to Zanzibar for her last time.
The Old Dispensary
Ithnashiri Dispensary is located on the seafront on Mizingani Road between Palace Museum and the harbor.The building got its name because it housed a dispensary on the ground floor, a pharmacy, and a resident doctor.
Its foundation stone of ‘Tharia Topan Jubilee Hospital’ was laid on 8Th July 1885 by Sir Tharia Topan who had dominated commerce in Zanzibar. He died in India in 1891 causing a brief interruption to the construction but it was completed in1894.
In 1900, the building was bought by the estate of Nasser Nur Mahommed who wanted to use it as a charitable institution. The trustees set up a dispensary on the ground floor.
