Stone Town is one of the cities in Tanzania that is worth visiting, not only because it is rich in history but also because it is considered a World Heritage Site (UNESCO declaration) because of its architecture, its monuments of historical interest, and the many influences from all the populations that have succeeded one another over the centuries.
Let us now look at some of the most requested information about Stone Town, such as its history (and why it is called that), what is recommended to see or what activities can be done here, what is its urban planning history and what are the monuments of greatest architectural interest, but also information regarding safety, climate, and where to possibly stay.
Why Stone Town is called that
Once known by the Swahili name Mji Mkongwe (meaning old town), today it is mostly known as Stone Town, which in English means, precisely, stone town. The most populous population center on the island of Zanzibar, Stone Town is one of those tourist spots that is worth at least a visit, especially for history buffs, for those who wish to see and observe the origins of Zanzibar and appreciate its features: it is also an ideal stop for all those who want to see the birth and origin places of the well-known Queen singer, Freddie Mercury.
The reason it gets the name stone town is because of the characteristic houses (made of stone, in fact) that were being built from 1830 onward, when the replacement of fishing villages by those who made its urban development possible took place.
Tanzania Stone Town: what to see and what to do
Stone Town is the ideal destination for a particular type of tourist, namely for all those who want to know the real history of Zanzibar and get in full contact with the typical and characteristic life of the place. Compared to other places in Tanzania and beyond, in fact, Stone Town has been the one that has most maintained its “ancient” characteristics (not surprisingly, it is still called Stone Town) although the charm due to its important presence in trade and exports is still evident.
Those who want to spend a few days in search of the history and culture typical of the place will probably prefer to visit the streets of Stone Town and delve into a world that, in many ways, seems to have remained untouched. There are so many places to visit, and many of them are varied and well assorted so as to offer the curious tourist a very rich overview of emotions and adventures.
Fans of Freddie Mercury (whose real name is Farrokh Bulsara) will surely know very well that Stone Town is where the well-known Queen leader was born: in fact, even today you can visit his birthplace, located right among the streets of Stone Town.
But of course the city offers much more: we have talked, for example, about the slave trade for which it was very famous in addition to the spice trade, and even today it is possible to visit the prisons in which they were imprisoned. Near the Anglican Church of Christ is a monument dedicated to the slaves, who are depicted in it chained at the bottom of a pit. Opposite the church, in the square on Mizingani Road, is the small museum that can be visited with the same admission ticket to the cathedral: here there are underground conduits that lead inside the cramped and impressive cells in which, precisely, slaves were imprisoned.
Also interesting is the Darajani market (Darajani bazaar) also known as the Estella market: located on Darajani Road near the Anglican cathedral, it is worthy of attention because it represents a striking example of the typical daily life of the place, and in fact it is highly recommended to devote a walk inside. There you can find, among other things, not only food products (very interesting are precisely the spices), but also Chinese and Iranian imports, and local handicrafts: if you want to buy some typical souvenirs, this is definitely the right area to go to. Another market worth visiting is the one located near the Forodhani gardens, opposite the Arab fort: inside the stalls (still lit with typical oil lamps) you can find culinary and gastronomic specialties that are truly mouth-watering; in addition, you can also take a restorative walk around the gardens, which were renovated in 2009. The Arab fort (also worthy of attention) is located right here, also built of stone and initially used against the Portuguese and their allies.
Also very interesting is the High Court of Justice, (High Court of Justice) on Kaunda Road, near the Victoria Gardens and the President’s House, a typical example of architecture somewhere between Portuguese and Islamic influences; also remember the Palace of Wonders, (Palace of Wonders) or House of Wonders (House of Wonders), on Mizingani Road, long used as the residence of the sultans, inside which it is also possible to visit a museum in which there are exhibits on Swahili and Zanzibari culture such as typical traditional boats.
There are also many places of worship: these include, for example, the Shakti Temple (Hindu in style and still functioning), the Aga Khan Mosque (noted for the presence of Islamic and Gothic elements), and the Malindi Mosque, which is also one of the oldest. Also worth a visit are St. Joseph’s Cathedral, and the Anglican Church on Mkunazini Road, built in 1873 at the behest of Edward Steere, the third bishop of Zanzibar (buried behind the altar).
The places that deserve a visit to Stone Town are truly many, and this alone allows us to recommend a stay in this unique and splendid city: alongside those we have named there are certainly many others that deserve attention and that you can discover just by choosing to stroll through the streets of the historic center, being pleasantly surprised by the warm atmosphere in this magical and at times unspoiled place where time seems to have stopped.
One more note: The old dispensary, which later became the site of the Aga Khan Cultural Center or Stone Town Cultural Center, is worthy of attention because although it was originally intended as a hospital for the poor, it was later used as a dispensary and today is one of the most ornate buildings in Zanzibar.
History of Stone Town
Like many other places in Tanzania Stone Town deserves much attention (perhaps more than others) it is one of those towns where multiculturalism is simply and objectively noticeable, with a very interesting presence of ethnic groups and foreign influences.This particular multiculturalism is evident throughout Swahili culture, starting with the language (in which multiple language borrowings are glimpsed, from Persian to English, from Indian to European) to other aspects of the culture, such as architectural and urban planning, and that of traditions and customs.
Its history is centered on the presence of numerous peoples who, over the centuries, contributed to making it a very important colonial center: this was also due to its particular geographical location, which, as it was very strategic, made possible trade and, with it, also the varied cultural exchanges that ensued.
It all began in the second millennium, when it was colonized by Arabs and Persians who mixed with the Bantu peoples, giving rise to true coastal and maritime city-states. Later, in 1830, the archipelago of Zanzibar was considered as belonging to the Sultanate of Oman, and it was from this time that the city began its gradual path of growth to become a capital and important cultural and other center. For a long time, in fact, starting in colonial times the city became a very important trading point (despite the fact that the authorities preferred to focus on Dar es Salaam and Mombasa): fundamental was the export of spices, which, however, was also complemented by the slave trade (of which even today one has traces by visiting the prisons in which they were imprisoned).
When the union of Zanzibar and Tanganyika took place (making the establishment of Tanzania possible) Stone Town retained its role as the capital and seat of government of Zanzibar.
Urban planning and architecture
The characteristic of this town (as suggested by the very name by which it is called and is known) is that it was mostly built with the typical local coral stone, which, although it has its own history and timeless charm (and as much as it has contributed to making Stone Town deserving of mention as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites) is nevertheless a very friable and delicate stone and deserves maintenance that, unfortunately, it does not receive to date.
Stone Town is also characteristic because it consists mostly of narrow streets, alleys, small typical stores, mosques, and bazaars.It is recommended to move around on foot, by bicycle, or motorcycle, because cars are unusable in most of the inner streets, which, unfortunately, are very narrow. However, this should not be seen as a negative point but instead it is important to remember that it is precisely on foot that the wonders of the places can be glimpsed.
Architecturally, in Tanzania Stone Town reflects in its buildings the same cultural characteristics that relate to its history and language: in fact, many borrowings and influences of the various populations that have colonized it over the centuries are evident, and it is not uncommon to see, in the same building, Arab, Indian, Persian, European, and other elements. In any case, certain features are evident that are very much present in this city and its alleys: the baraza, long benches placed in the street, very useful both as a point of refreshment and as a meeting point for socializing; the veranda balconies, protected by carved wooden balustrades; the typical dark wooden gates, very massive and also very skillfully decorated in carving or bas-relief. Elements of various cultures are also present in their carvings, such as Islamic but also Oriental and Buddhist symbolism (think of lotus flowers, considered an emblem of prosperity).
Climate
The climate here is particularly sunny and warm and, as is the case with most of Tanzania, temperatures are good for most of the year, thus making for an interesting vacation at any time of the year. There are two types of seasons, the dry season and the rainy season, one of which is called the long rainy season, which is the main one (and runs from March to May), and a lesser one, called the short rainy season, which occurs between October and November.
Is it dangerous?
Many people wonder whether or not the town of Stone Town is dangerous, and this is a legitimate question that, of course, is also asked because of the fact that the town is located in a very remote area, which is that of Tanzania. There are no particular reasons why it is not recommended to visit Stone Town at particular times of the year, but it is good to remember that, as is the case with all visits or excursions, common sense should always prevail: in fact, isolated areas of the island are more dangerous than population centers but this does not mean that they should never be visited. Instead, it may be prudent and useful to be accompanied by a local guide or a local person who will allow you to visit and tour the island safely, without missing anything that the town actually offers.
In addition, since the city is very chaotic, it is advisable not to carry too much cash with you and always pay attention to your backpack: any muggings or robberies, clearly, can also occur in highly populated areas, aided by the confusion in the streets during rush hour. Watch out for children, too: holding their hands at all times, especially at times when there is most chaos, is essential to avoid losing them.
Where to stay
There are really so many hotels and places to stay, and of course this means that one is spoilt for choice and that, the choice itself, should be geared mostly to meet one’s own needs: getting advice from the tour operator to whom one presents one’s needs can be of great help, but at the same time it is also possible to do this on one’s own by visiting the various hotel booking sites and dedicated platforms. Here it will be possible to enter preference filters, and therefore target the options of greatest interest, perhaps with map in hand. In fact, choosing a strategically located hotel is very important because it allows you to move around freely, easily reaching all the areas of your interest without limits.
