Stone Town is located on the main island of the Zanzibar Archipelago, Tanzania. It is also known as Miji Mkongwe, which means “old town” in Swahili. Stone Town holds great importance in history and to the artistic community. In addition, it is well known for being the center of the spice trade.
But, what you can’t experience on google, are the beautiful views from one of the many rooftops. You can see the trees intermixed with the buildings and the oceanfront full of beautiful boats and clear water from one roof. You can see the region’s historic architecture that stems from Arab, Persian, Indian, and European roots. These architectural inspirations are most obviously seen in the many intricately designed doors throughout Stone Town.
In 2000, Stone Town was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains big for tourism, bringing in those who wish to see the unique architecture and culture on every corner. While there are many historical buildings and sites, here are just a couple. On the seafront lies The House of Wonders. It was built in 1883 and has been a museum since 2000. Right next to The House of Wonders is The Old Fort, which was built in the 17th century by Omanis to protect from European invasions. It is now a cultural center. Standing with the Indian Ocean at your back and 100s-year-old buildings in your line of view is truly a remarkable experience.
The town itself is largely too crowded for cars, but not to worry. This just means that you get to spend a lovely day walking around and soaking up art, history, shops, and so much more.
