Off Uroa Road Marumbi, Zanzibar TZ, 1026, Tansania  info@fivepalmszanzibar.com +255 774756179
Of historical importance in East Africa

THE OLD FORT

When visiting Stone Town, you should make a point to visit The Old Fort or “Ngome Kongwe” as it is known in the local language. Stone Town is a city of prominent historical and artistic importance in East Africa given its mixture of Arab, Persian, Indian and European elements underlying the local Swahili culture. The town was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The Old Fort is one of the oldest buildings in Stone Town and tells the story of Zanzibar in a nutshell. It was originally built by the Portuguese in the 17th century and later re-built by the Omani Arabs in the 18th century after expelling the Portuguese in 1699. During the 19th century, it was used as a garrison and prison, and as a terminal of the Zanzibar railways from 1905 to 1928. A new guardhouse was added in 1947 and it later served as a ladies' club. It became a cultural center in the 1990s after an amphitheater was added. Nowadays it hosts festivals such as Sauti za Busara and the Zanzibar International Film Festival. There are also many small shops mostly selling clothes and works of art. Entrance is free of charge.