The "Stone Town" is built on a triangular peninsula of land and consists predominantly of arab architecture, with a blend Indian and European architecture.

The most impressive architectural structures are the large arab houses usually two to three storeys high, generally quadrangular in plan, having a central courtyard and a flat roof, surmounted by a low crenellated parapet.

At the turn of the century the flat roofs where covered with hipped roofs of corrugated iron sheets. The gap formed between the two roofs provided the building with an insulation against the mid-day heat.

The buildings have evenly spaced windows with an elaborately carved door, decorated with massive brass bosses.

Towards the nineteenth century, European influences such as balconies, loggias and verandas appeared on the buildings .

Another feature common to many houses is a "Baraza". This is a low stone bench built along the walls of houses facing narrow streets, and serves as an important social foci for the old Zanzibari folk and in particular the men.

They sit on these barazas and have discussions on the day to day events of the islands, and the world around them (many Zanzibaris are interested in Politics! Don't be suprised if they know more about whats going on in your part of the world than you do!).

The barazas also serve as raised sidewalks when the streets get flooded after heavy rains. (The existing drainage system in the Stown Town cannot handle the heavy Masika rains.)

The most visible element of Zanzibar's cultural heritage is represented in some of the outstanding architectural and historical landmarks of the Stone Town.

These include the Portuguese Fort (also known as "Old fort"), the House of Wonders (Beit-el-ajaib), the Palace Museum (formerly known as the Sultan's Palace), the Ithnaasheri Dispensary, Balnara Mosque, Bharmal building, the High Court, the Peace Memorial Museum, the Roman Catholic Cathedral and the Anglican Cathedral....quite a few isn't it!

The High Court, the Peace Memorial Museum, Bharmal Building and Stone Town's unique market, reflect British Colonial taste blended with Arabic architecture.

The intricately carved balconies of the Ithnaasheri dispensary reflect Colonial India's architecture while the Roman Catholic Cathedral reflects European Architecture.

The Anglican Cathedral has a combination of elements of Gothic and Islamic architecture.

THE ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL

The building stands on grounds of the former slave market closed down in 1873. It has the shape of a Basilica with a blend of vernacular Gothic and Arabic styles.

Its construction was supervised by Bishop Edward Steere (1874-1882). The building's material comprised of reinforced concrete mixed with crusted coral stone. The roof was not completed until 1879.

The external walls are covered by crenellations and recesses ending in tri-foil arches. The clock on the tower was a gift from Sultan Seyyid Barghash (1880).

THE PEACE MEMORIAL MUSEUM

The building was designed as a central cupola structure by the British architect J.H. Sinclair. It was built from funds provided by the Government and by various communities in commemoration of the First World War.

It was opened on Armistice Day and its first curator was Dr. A. H. Spurrier.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDERAL

It is the prototype of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de la Garde in Marseilles , France.

The cathedral was built between 1897 and 1900 by the lay Brothers and native members of the church. The spacious interior was also painted by a lay Brother of the mission, from France.

The paintings are dominated by scenes from the old testament. Because of poor maintenance, most of the original paintings have been destroyed with age. Attempts to restore the paintings were not so successful because of financial problems, as is the case with most restoration projects on the island.

THE ZSTC BUILDING

This building housed the offices of Smith, Mackenzie and Co. Ltd. from 1874 to 1974.

It was also the first British Consulate (opened in 1841) before it was moved to the Mambo Msiige building in 1874. The first British Consul to Zanzibar, Captain Hamerton(1841-1857) lived in this building.

The explorers Burton and Speke resided here for a short period before beginning their expedition to the mainland. It was to this building, that David Livingstone's body was taken for identification, on its arrival at Zanzibar from a long journey to the then Rhodesia.

THE ARAB FORT

This is on of the few stone buildings that Seyyid Said found in 1829, on his arrival on Zanzibar.

It stands on the site occupied circa 1710 by a ruined Portuguese church and residential quarters which were converted by the arabs into a primitive fort for the town garrison.

The fort was unsuccessfully attacked by Mazrui arabs from Mombasa in 1754. Up and until 1928 it was the depot for the Bububu railway, Zanzibar's first railway now no longer in existance.

The Fort has a quadrilateral plan with circular towers at its corners and interconnecting defense walls. The original fortified entrance gate facing the sea was replaced in 1949.

The beautifully carved Arab door, at the main entrance, was formerly in a house belonging to Sultan Seyyid Khaled bin Mohammed. It has two small subsidiary doors, cut into the two larger door sections, for the use of children.

THE HOUSE OF WONDERS, BEIT-EL-AJAIB

Referred to as the "House of Wonders" because of its grand scale and architecure. It was one of the first buildings on the island to have electric lights.

Beit-el-Ajaib was built by Sultan Seyyid Barghash(1870-1888) for ceremonial purposes. Rumour has it that the building was designed by a marine engineer.

It was bombarded by a British fleet in 1896 during the brief usurpation of the Sultan's throne by Seyyid Khalid. Fortunately, the building suffered minor damages although the free standing light house at the top of the building was severely damaged and was later replaced by a clock tower.

Both Seyyid Hamud (1896-1902) and Seyyid Ali bin Hamud (1902-1911) resided in the house of wonders, before it accomodated the Government offices in 1911.
In 1976, it was converted into an Ideological College of Politics for the members of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (the ruling party then and now).

The broad galleries surrounding all four sides of the building were constructed from reinforced concrete slabs supported by cast iron columns. The internal roofed courtyard is surrounded by galleries reached by an impressive marble stairway.

At the entrace stood two fine Portuguese bronze guns made during the sixteenth century. The guns were captured from the Portuguese by the Persians assisted by the British Navy during the fall of Ormuz in 1622.

They were probably recapture from the Persians by the Omani Arabs and brought to Zanzibar by Seyyid Said (1807-1856). The larger gun had the Portuguese Royal Arms, the cipher and standard of King John III, and a planisphere of the world.

THE PALACE MUSEUM (THE SULTAN'S PALACE)

This palace consists of coral rag walls and traditional "Boriti" (mangrove shoots) supported floors, reinforced by concrete slabs and steel beams.

It was first occupied by Sultan Khalifa in 1911 when ascended to the throne. The palace also accomodated the Royal family and the Sultan's harem.

General Sir Lloyd Mathews also lived here for a short while (on the Sultan's invitation).

After the 1964 Revolution, it was used by the Zanzibar Government for Cabinet meetings and for gatherings of the Revolutionary Council.

For some years, Idd Baraza's ( A gathering of top government officials and diplomats hosted on Idd day by the President of the Zanzibar) were also held in this building.

THE NASUR NURMOHAMED DISPENSARY

A beautiful building presented to Haji Nasser Nurmohamed's community by Sir Tharia Topan, a prominant Ismaili Khoja Indian.

The foundation stone was laid in Queen Victoria's Jubilee year. The building was built as a hospital, but after Sir Tharia's death, it was sold and later housed a dispensary.

It has U-shaped plan, enclosing an open courtyard with overlooking galleries. The long balconies at the front of the building display ornate decorated woodwork and are very beautiful.

BALNARA MOSQUE

Unlike other mosques, it has a minaret decorated with a double chevron pattern. It was built around 1831 by Mohammed Abdul Qadir el Mansabi, whose remains are buried infront of the Mihrab.

LIVINGSTONE HOUSE

This house was given to David Livingstone for a few weeks, by Sultan Seyyid Said, when Livingstone was fitting out his last exhibition to the mainland in 1866.

It was originally a single storeyed housed belonging to Seyyid Khalid bin Said. At some point in its history, the building was used as a rest house for invalids and for religious meetings, by the Ithnaasheri Khoja Community.

In 1947 the government purchased it. Today it houses the offices of the Zanzibar Tourist Corporation.

HAMAMNI BATHS

These baths were built for public use. The buiding consists of a coral rag construction with lime stucco rendering. The external appearance is plain with only a decorative dentil frieze on the upper part, surrounded by a crenellated parapet.

THE AGA KHAN MOSQUE

A two storeyed building with magnificent designs on the outer walls.

THE BHARMAL BUILDING

Was built in the late nineteeth century. Is is richly decorated with plaster mouldings.

It formely accomodated the offices for the Senior British Government Officials Research in Zanzibar. It is presently being occupied by the offices of Zanzibar's Municipal Council.

MAMBO MSIIGE ("DO NOT IMITATE")

It gets its name from the fact that the building has a variety of architectural styles. It was erected circa 1847-1850 for a prominent arab residing in Zanzibar.

Between 1864 and 1874 it was the Headquarters of Universities Mission to Central Africa, before they were moved to Mkunazini area.

From 1874 to 1913 it was the residence of the British representative to Zanzibar, the first of whom was John Kirk, Consul General from 1873 to 1887.

A room at the top is reported to have been built especially for the use of H.M. Stanley, the explorer. From 1918 to 1924 it accomodated the European Hospital after which it was converted into Government offices.

Presently it houses the offices of the Registrar General, WAKF and Trust committee, Zanzibar Shipping Corporation and the Ministry of Finance's Audit department.

KILOSA BUILDING

Is a commercial structure of unknown origin. It now houses a restaurant and some shops. A Taxi stand is also located outside the building.