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Kilwa Kisiwani
Kilwa Kisiwani is an island reached by dhow
and has an amazingly well preserved collection of ruins. The island is famous
for its historical ruins, in remarkably good condition
and dating back to as early as the 9th century. On arrival as you sail
from the mainland the most striking sight is the old Omani Fort, which is built
on the foundations of an old Portuguese fort.
Kilwa Kisiwani was one of
the principal ports of trade on the Indian Ocean,
trading gold, ivory, iron and coconuts from southern
Africa were exchanged for fine cloths and jewelry from
India, and porcelain from China. Gold coins were minted
at Kilwa Kisiwani, presumably for the growing
international trade.
The ruins on Kilwa Kiswani include Gereza Fort,
built by the Omani Arabs in the 14th century, the Great
Mosque dating back to the 12th century, and many more.
Gereza Fort is possibly the most famous but there are
many other examples of fine ancient architecture, some
of which are very well-preserved and all of which are
worth a visit.
The Big Mosque dates from the 12th Century and was once the largest mosque in
East Africa.
The Sultanīs palace is located directly south of the mosque and contains four
graves.
The small mosque dates from the 15th Century is still in use today.
The large complex of walls in the west of the island is called "Makutani" and
contains a palace from the 18th Century, another Sultanas palace, and a mosque
from the 15th Century.
Now a World Heritage Site, Kilwa Kisiwani is being rehabilitated and becoming
more accessible to visitors. Together with the nearby ruins of Songo Mnara, Kilwa is considered a significant glimpse of Swahili civilization.
Coral stone houses, palaces, a large domed mosque
and the largest pre-European building in equatorial Africa, the Husuni Kubwa,
are found within the fig and palm trees.
All the way to the east of the island there are the ground walls of the "Husuni
Kubwa", once the largest building in tropical Africa.
Local guides give tours of the ruins and dhows can be arranged from the small
jetty on the mainland. The site is quite spread out and you can easily spend a
whole day walking around all the ruins. It can be very hot whilst touring the
ruins and there is not much shade so take lots of water, a hat and suntan
lotion.
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