Zanzibar Town lies on the wet coast of this exotic island, just off the coast of Tanzania. A trading post for over two thouand years, Zanzibar has been populated and ruled by Persians, the Portuguese, Omani Arabs, and the British, before gaining independence in 1963.

 

The old part of Zanzibar Town is known as the Stone Town, after the old houses, mosques and bazaars built on the profits of the slave trade. Stone houses in Zanzibar were all about showing off your status: for Arab traders this meant a house with a plain facade but large doors leading to a cool inner courtyard. For Indian traders, this meant large balconies with ornate railings and flounces. However, the ultimate status symbol was the large wooden doors; the more elaborate the carving and the higher number of brass studs in the door, the better!

 

Highlights of Zanzibar's Stone Town include the Forodhani Gardens, where local enjoy the restored gardens and the bustling street hawker stalls along the shoreline. The former residence of the Sultan of Zanzibar is now the fascinating Palace Museum, which sits next to the House of Wonders, a ceremonial palace of tiers and balconies dating from 1883. The Old Arab Fort opposite is much older, completed in 1701. Other impressive homes lie along the Shangani Road, including the home of slave trader Tippu Tip, who helped supply the famous Livingstone and Stanley expeditions into Africa.

 

Best of all, the Stone Town is just wonderful to wander around; don't worry about getting lost, everyone does!

 

© 2009 Kirsty Young