TANZANIA HISTORICAL SITES

Background information

Mysterious ruins of complex irrigation systems span the area around Engaruka, the remnants of a highly developed but unknown society that inhabited the area at least 500 years ago – and then vanished without a trace.

Stone Town - ZANZIBAR or Mji Mkongwe in Swahili meaning “ancient town” is the old part of Zanzibar City. The old town is built on a triangular peninsula of land on the western coast of the island and was awarded World Heritage Site status in 2000. Justification for the inscription, includes its rich cultural fusion and harmonization; its great symbolic importance in the suppression of slavery; and the intense seaborne trading activity between Asia and Africa, which is illustrated today in the exceptional architecture and urban structure of Stone Town.

FAST FACTS (ZANZIBAR)

The most obvious historical site in Zanzibar is Stone Town, a World Heritage Site and the oldest continuously inhabited city in East Africa, but Zanzibar has much more to offer visitors. From the ruins of numerous palaces stemming from the Omani Sultancy, ancient mosques (notably the mosque at Kizimkazi which contains the oldest known Swahili text), Persian bathhouses, and Colonia buildings (in the Indian colonial style), Zanzibar is an absolute treasure trove for the historically inclined.

Backgound information

Mikindani historical town is located 546 kilometers from Dar es Salaam, south – east of Tanzania, along the Indian Ocean. Dating back to 9^th century, Mikindani exhibits influences of Arabian, Portugal, Germany and the United Kingdom. Hence an exotic mix of multicultural traditions, architecture, language and cuisine. Once an administrative center in German East Africa as well as being a center for the slave trade to Reunion, Seychelles and Comoros. Also, it was Dr. David Livingstone last journey stopping point into central Africa on 24^th March 1866 before.

Background information

The remains of two great East African parts admired by early European explorers are situated on two small islands near the coast. From the 13^th to the 16^th century, the merchants of Kilwa dealt in gold, silver, pearls, perfumes, Arabian crockery, Persian earthenware and Chinese porcelain; much of the trade in the Indian Ocean thus passed through their hands. Serious archaeological investigation began in the 1950s. in 1981 it was declared a World Heritage Site, and noted visitor sites are the Great Mosque, the Mkutini Palace and some remarkable ruins. However, the ruins are also on the list of World Heritage in Danger. The list constitutes a call to improve their safeguarding and is designed to rally national and international efforts for their preservation.

FAST FACTS (KILWA – THE MEDIEVAL TRADE CITY OF 9^TH CENTURY)

Major attractions include, the Great Mosque dated 11^th to 15^th centuries, Makutani Palace and the Doomed Mosque, and Husuni Kubwa Palace and Husuni Ndogo.