Stone Town
The “rock” upon which Zanzibar City is built – Stone Town – stands magnificently to this day. Its narrow alleys form a frenetic maze leading up and down its olden homes, bazaars, and mosques. Its structures, built only in stone since the 1830s, are hauntingly beautiful. Houses feel lived in, filled with personal history and that of the town’s. Arab houses, with their ornate doors, are stare-worthy, to say the least – their craftsmanship is extraordinary.
Stone town, Zanzibar was historically a trading center between Africa and Asia. Said bin Sultan had made the town capital of the Omani empire from 1840 to 1856. The economy back then dealt mostly with trading spices, although the town also infamously traded slave labor. Slaves from mainland Africa were sold to businessmen from the Middle East. In fact, the current Anglican Cathedral was built on an ancient slave market. Holding cells were kept intact and can be viewed today.
Through the years, Stone Town served as the base for many explorers and colonizers. Tanzania’s Portuguese colonizers used the town as its center. Scottish explorer and medical missionary David Livingstone held his base in town while readying for his 1866 expedition. (The house he lived in now bears his name.) Stone Town also became home to several migrant families from India, Persia, and Oman. Even in the past, the town bustled with activity and was an inviting home for traders.
Today, Stone Town has the same feel as that of several years ago – sturdy and unchanged, like its buildings. Its majesty is kept down to the details, such as the carved doors of its homes and the enclosed verandas. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this Zanzibar capital is a place where many travelers have come and gone.
Travelers to Zanzibar, Tanzania are required a valid passport and visa. Stone Town is generally safe, although petty crimes can happen. It is advised that travelers keep aware of their surroundings and mind their things. At the same time, travelers should be conscious in their regard for the more traditional culture of the town.