Tourism Kilwa Kisiwani - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )
Tourism Kilwa Kisiwani: Africa
Natural Tours
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Kilwa
Kisiwani, an authentic historical town in real South, Located about 300km south
of Dar es Salaam, Kilwa Kisiwani is the leading historical site in southern
Tanzania.
A
quick visit to Kilwa Kisiwani gives a thrilling memory when discussing the rich
history of the Swahili coast that extends along the Eastern coast of the Indian
Ocean in Tanzania.
Despite
the beauty of this Island which is located in Kilwa District, Lindi Region,
memories of the past civilization and early settlements could be a memoir of a
lifetime for any tourist venturing this part of Tanzania.
With
its twin island of Songo Mnara, Kilwa Kisiwani is the United Nations Scientific
and Educational Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site, known by its rich
history and Swahili cultural heritage blended with African and Arabic cultures.
Kiliwa
Kisiwani is a tourist site, standing among the leading, earliest trading towns
on the East African coast. Historical buildings in the island were constructed
with coral stone mixed with limestone materials which had made the architecture
beautiful and stable to survive weather conditions characterized by humid and
hot temperatures for hundreds of years.
The
Island had its prosperity achieved from the control of the Indian Ocean trade
with Arabia, India and China between the 13th and 16th centuries, when gold and
ivory from the mainland Tanzania and Congo were traded for silver, carnelians,
perfumes, Persian faience and Chinese porcelain.
Most
attractive, are mosques built in 13th century and a Portuguese Fort, which are
presently give the island its historical fame. These mosques are dating between
13th and 18th centuries.
Between
each mosque, there are cemeteries and worship places decorated with early
Chinese porcelain and Persian artifacts including ceramics materials from the
Middle East. Kilwa Kisiwani was occupied from the 9th to the 19th centuries by
Oman Sultans and Persian merchants. Between 13th and 14th centuries, the island
thrived as a leading business center on the Indian Ocean coast.
According
to great Muslim traveler Ibn-Battuta who visited and stayed in Kilwa Kisiwani
between 1331 and 1332, the island was ranked among the most beautiful cities of
the world during that time.
The
Great Mosque of Kilwa was the largest mosque of its kind in East Africa. The
mosque accommodates two mosques, all constructed in 11th century.
Ibn-Battuta
had explained this mosque to have been built by the ruler of Kilwa Kisiwani,
Sultan al-Hasan ibn Sulaiman.
Makutani
palace is the other building of the past where the sultan of Kilwa Kisiwani
resided. The building was constructed in 1516 and fitted with minarets to
encounter invaders.
There
are spacious rooms for women and bathrooms; all decorated with earthen-wares
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