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Shirazi Dimbani Mosque Remains Found near Kizimkazi in the south of the island this mosque contains the oldest inscription found in east Africa-from AD 1107. The mosque has been given a tin roof and is still used. Mvuleni Ruins These are in the north of the island and are the remains of the Portuguese attempt to colonize Zanzibar Maruhubi Palace Ruins These are located about 4km north of Zanzibar town . It is found off the Bububu road and were built in 1882 by Sultan Barghash for his harem of many (said to be 99) women. The palace was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1899. All that remains are the pillars and aqueducts which brought water to the palace from the nearby springs. The site is very overgrown, and marble from the baths has long since been stolen. Beit ell ras Palace Ruins This building was built on this palace for Seyyid Said in 1847, but was left not completed when he died. Some of the impressive stone arches can still be seen. The rest was used in the construction of the Bububu Railway at the start of this century, which linked the centre of the town with the village. The line wasn't viable and closed in the 1920s. Top Persian Baths at Kidichi Built on the highest point of Zanzibar island by Sultan Seyyid Said in 1850,they were for his wife who was Persian, and are decorated in an ornamental stucco work that is in the Persian style. It is located north-east of Zanzibar town about 15km.You can easily get there by taking a 'B' Dala-Dala to Bububu and from there it is about 5km east down an unpaved road. This is a unique contrast to the plain baths nearby at Kizimbani, which were built within Said's clove tree and coconut plantation. Mbweni Palace Ruins This was established for rescued slaves and was built in 1871 by the Universities Mission to Central Africa. In 1882 St John's Church was built in the same place for the use of the released slaves. There is a fine carved door and a tower. It was once a holiday resort of Sultan Seyyid Barghash and it had a wonderful position overlooking the sea. However it has been totally neglected and as a result is slowly crumbling away. The main palace has completely disappeared, although some of the other buildings do remain and may be toured. The ruins are located about 5km south of the Zanzibar town off the airport road. On the grounds of of the Mbweni Ruins Hotel are the ruins of the Universitie's Mission for to Central Africa's St Mary's School for Girls. Mangapwani Slave Chambers Near the village of Mangapwani, 20km north of Zanzibar Town, are a large natural cavern and a man-made slave cave. The natural coral cavern has a narrow entrance and a pool of fresh water at its lowest point. The Slave Cave, a square cell cut into the coral, was used to hold slaves after the trade was abolished in 1873. The natural cavern may also have been used to hide slaves, but this is not certain.To get to Mangapwani village take the main road to Chuini then follow the left fork towards Bumbwini for 7km. There are occasional buses to Mangapwani on Route 2. At Mangapwani, a road forks left towards the coast. About 2km past the village this road ends and a small track branches off to the right. Follow this for 1km to reach the Slave Cave. About halfway between Mangapwani and the track to the Slave Cave, a narrow track to the left leads to the natural cavern. Top Mbweni Kirk House Was built by Seyyid Barghash in 1872. Kirk came to Zanzibar as part of Livingstone's expedition to the Zambezi as the Medical Officer. He played an important role in the fight to end the slave trade and in 1873 was appointed His Majesty's Agent and Consul General in Zanzibar. He was also a botanist, introducing a number of plants to the island said to have originated from Kew Gardens, including cinnamon, vanilla, mahogany and eucalyptus. Changuu Island (Prison Island) Also known as Prison Island (Just off Stone Town), this Island was once owned by an Arab who used it for 'rebellious' slaves. Some years later in 1893 it was sold to general Mathews, a Briton who converted it into a prison. However it has never actually been used as such and was later converted to serve as a quarantine station for East Africa in colonial times. The prison is still relatively intact and a few remains of the hospital can be seen including the rusting boilers of the laundry. There is good snorkelling, wind surfing and sailing from the beautiful little beach. Jellyfish can sometimes spoil bathing and snorkelling however. The Island is also home to giant tortoises which are supposed to have been brought over from Aldabra (an atoll off the Seychelles) around the turn of the century. The Hammamni Baths Commissioned by Sultan Seyyid Barghash, were the only public baths onZanzibar. For 10 cents people could bathe, have a message, a haircut or partake of refreshments.The baths were declared a national monument. Today, this fine old building stands empty, but it is possible to step back in time as you cross the marble floors in domed rooms while listening to an interesting lecture on the ingenuity of the plumbing and heating devices under the floor of the massage room and for the sauna. Top The old Arab Fort Located just south of the House of Wonders, is itself an architectural wonder. The Omani Arabs built the fort on the rubble of a Portuguese Chapel; It was finished in 1710 and was eventually used as a prison for war criminals, then as army barracks, and during colonial times as the depot and workshop for the Bububu railway line (a 15-km/9 miles track leading out ofZanzibar townthat never extended further and quickly fell into disuse). The courtyard of the fort was constructed in 1949 to become the site for the ladies' tennis club. In 1994 it was renovated further and the courtyard was opened as a theatre and cultural centre. Joseph's Cathedral Two silver peaks can be seen from most areas in Stone Town. Built at the end of the 19th century, this Catholic church has wonderful detailing. One of the most visited places in Stone Town, it is built on the site of the slave market, abolished on 6 June 1873 by Sultan Seyyid Barghash. Although the market was not used after that, the trade continued surreptitiously for quite some time. Part of the site was purchased by an English Missionary, the Rev.Arthur Nugent West, while the remainder of the site was donated to the church by the a Hindu merchant, Mairam Senji. The High Court of Justice On Kaunda Road is desperately in need of a coat of paint, but offers a unique melding of Arabic and Portuguese architectural styles. It is a relatively new building, built early this century by architect J.H.Sinclair. The clock that hangs out over the street is almost always working as the older gentlemen, usually seen across the street huddled in conversation, can attest to. The Jamituri Gardens Are directly in front of these historical sites. Originally laid out in 1935 for King George V's silver Jubilee, today they lack the maintenance that benefit such a splendid site; but come the evening, the gardens come to life with the nightly Forodhani. Each afternoon as the sun begins to set, the golden sky embraces the visitors and citizens of Zanzibar , welcoming them to a delicious, inexpensive and fun-filled twilight of grilled meats, seafood, Zanzibar pizza, fruit, and sugar cane juice. Joseph's Cathedral Two silver peaks can be seen from most areas in Stone Town. Built at the end of the 19th century, this Catholic church has wonderful detailing. One of the most visited places in Stone Town, it is built on the site of the slave market, abolished on 6 June 1873 by Sultan Seyyid Barghash. Although the market was not used after that, the trade continued surreptitiously for quite some time. Part of the site was purchased by an English Missionary, the Rev.Arthur Nugent West, while the remainder of the site was donated to the church by the a Hindu merchant, Mairam Senji. The High Court of Justice On Kaunda Road is desperately in need of a coat of paint, but offers a unique melding of Arabic and Portuguese architectural styles. It is a relatively new building, built early this century by architect J.H.Sinclair. The clock that hangs out over the street is almost always working as the older gentlemen, usually seen across the street huddled in conversation, can attest to. The Jamituri Gardens Are directly in front of these historical sites. Originally laid out in 1935 for King George V's silver Jubilee, today they lack the maintenance that benefit such a splendid site; but come the evening, the gardens come to life with the nightly Forodhani. Each afternoon as the sun begins to set, the golden sky embraces the visitors and citizens of Zanzibar , welcoming them to a delicious, inexpensive and fun-filled twilight of grilled meats, seafood, Zanzibar pizza, fruit, and sugar cane juice. The old Arab Fort Located just south of the House of Wonders, is itself an architectural wonder. The Omani Arabs built the fort on the rubble of a Portuguese Chapel; It was finished in 1710 and was eventually used as a prison for war criminals, then as army barracks, and during colonial times as the depot and workshop for the Bububu railway line (a 15-km/9 miles track leading out ofZanzibar townthat never extended further and quickly fell into disuse). The courtyard of the fort was constructed in 1949 to become the site for the ladies' tennis club. In 1994 it was renovated further and the courtyard was opened as a theatre and cultural centre. The Hammamni Baths Commissioned by Sultan Seyyid Barghash, were the only public baths on Zanzibar. For 10 cents people could bathe, have a message, a haircut or partake of refreshments.The baths were declared a national monument. Today, this fine old building stands empty, but it is possible to step back in time as you cross the marble floors in domed rooms while listening to an interesting lecture on the ingenuity of the plumbing and heating devices under the floor of the massage room and for the sauna. Changuu Island (Prison Island) Also known as Prison Island (Just off Stone Town), this Island was once owned by an Arab who used it for 'rebellious' slaves. Some years later in 1893 it was sold to general Mathews, a Briton who converted it into a prison. However it has never actually been used as such and was later converted to serve as a quarantine station for East Africa in colonial times. The prison is still relatively intact and a few remains of the hospital can be seen including the rusting boilers of the laundry. There is good snorkelling, wind surfing and sailing from the beautiful little beach. Jellyfish can sometimes spoil bathing and snorkelling however. The Island is also home to giant tortoises which are supposed to have been brought over from Aldabra (an atoll off the Seychelles) around the turn of the century. Mbweni Kirk House Was built by Seyyid Barghash in 1872. Kirk came to Zanzibar as part of Livingstone's expedition to the Zambezi as the Medical Officer. He played an important role in the fight to end the slave trade and in 1873 was appointed His Majesty's Agent and Consul General in Zanzibar. He was also a botanist, introducing a number of plants to the island said to have originated from Kew Gardens, including cinnamon, vanilla, mahogany and eucalyptus. Mangapwani Slave Chambers Near the village of Mangapwani, 20km north of Zanzibar Town, are a large natural cavern and a man-made slave cave. The natural coral cavern has a narrow entrance and a pool of fresh water at its lowest point. The Slave Cave, a square cell cut into the coral, was used to hold slaves after the trade was abolished in 1873. The natural cavern may also have been used to hide slaves, but this is not certain.To get to Mangapwani village take the main road to Chuini then follow the left fork towards Bumbwini for 7km. There are occasional buses to Mangapwani on Route 2. At Mangapwani, a road forks left towards the coast. About 2km past the village this road ends and a small track branches off to the right. Follow this for 1km to reach the Slave Cave. About halfway between Mangapwani and the track to the Slave Cave, a narrow track to the left leads to the natural cavern. Mbweni Palace Ruins This was established for rescued slaves and was built in 1871 by the Universities Mission to Central Africa. In 1882 St John's Church was built in the same place for the use of the released slaves. There is a fine carved door and a tower. It was once a holiday resort of Sultan Seyyid Barghash and it had a wonderful position overlooking the sea. However it has been totally neglected and as a result is slowly crumbling away. The main palace has completely disappeared, although some of the other buildings do remain and may be toured. The ruins are located about 5km south of the Zanzibar town off the airport road. On the grounds of the Mbweni Ruins Hotel are the ruins of the Universitie's Mission for to Central Africa's St Mary's School for Girls. Persian Baths at Kidichi Built on the highest point of Zanzibar island by Sultan Seyyid Said in 1850, they were for his wife who was Persian, and are decorated in an ornamental stucco work that is in the Persian style. It is located north-east of Zanzibar town about 15km.You can easily get there by taking a 'B' Dala-Dala to Bububu and from there it is about 5km east down an unpaved road. This is a unique contrast to the plain baths nearby at Kizimbani, which were built within Said's clove tree and coconut plantation. Beit ell ras Palace Ruins This building was built on this palace for Seyyid Said in 1847, but was left not completed when he died. Some of the impressive stone arches can still be seen. The rest was used in the construction of the Bububu Railway at the start of this century, which linked the centre of the town with the village. The line wasn't viable and closed in the 1920s. Maruhubi Palace Ruins These are located about 4km north of Zanzibar town . It is found off the Bububu road and were built in 1882 by Sultan Barghash for his harem of many (said to be 99) women. The palace was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1899. All that remains are the pillars and aqueducts which brought water to the palace from the nearby springs. The site is very overgrown, and marble from the baths has long since been stolen. Mvuleni Ruins These are in the north of the island and are the remains of the Portuguese attempt to colonize Zanzibar Shirazi Dimbani Mosque Remains Found near Kizimkazi in the south of the island this mosque contains the oldest inscription found in east Africa-from AD 1107. The mosque has been given a tin roof and is still used.
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