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STONE TOWN - ZANZIBAR
The capital of Zanzibar, Stone Town is a fascinating labyrinth of winding alleyways, ancient ruins and historical buildings. Emblems of a rich and tumultuous history survive today, depicted through Arabian palaces, slave markets, aromatic spice bazaars, ornate cathedrals and an historic fort that was the scene of the worlds’ shortest war.
- Eclectic mix of religion and culture
- Fascinating old buildings and crumbling ruins
- Recently declared a World Heritage Site
- Centrally located to all the attractions on the Island
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Durajani Bazaar
If you prefer a relaxed shopping environment, then perhaps this is not for you. You will find almost anything you could want in this market. Even if you aren’t interested in buying anything, savour the experience by wandering past the symmetrical piles of oranges, baskets of spices and enormous chunks of fresh fish arranged under palm-thatch shelters. See ladies shrouded in black Islamc headdresses, old, long-bearded men in white skull caps playing Bao or dominoes and small children playing games in the already crowded streets.
Historical Buildings
As well as the magic of the streets, Stone Town has certain historical buildings that are worth a visit. The Palace museum and the Old Fort on the seafront both house collections of furniture and clothing from the days of the Sultans, and the Palace museum has a room dedicated to Princess Salme, daughter of Sultan Said, who eloped with a German businessman in the 19th century.
The Anglican Cathedral, built on the site of the old slave market, has a crucifix made from the tree under which the explorer, David Livingstone's heart was buried. Nearby are the underground chambers in which slaves were kept.
Ruins
Unfortunately due to lack of preservation, many of the beautiful old buildings are in ruin. Countless places have also been destroyed due to neglect and lack of funds to maintain them. A number of the ruins evident in Stone Town belonged once to the numerous Sultans’ of the region. The Mruhubi Ruins, Mtoni Ruins and Kidichi Bath Ruins are just some of the fascinating old buildings to explore.
Jozani Forest
An hour outside of Stone Town, lies the protected forest of Jozani, which houses the endangered Red Colobus monkey. Nature walks through the forest is a great way to see the wildlife on the island. The forest is located in the low-lying area between the north and south of the Island, which receives plenty of moisture from the sea and floods during the rainy season, nurturing the tropical environment.
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TO PLAN YOUR ISLAND GETAWAY |
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