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Thinking Of Travelling? 5 Reasons To Visit Stone Town In Zanzibar

By Chinelo Eze
05 October 2022   |   11:42 am
Stone town situated on the island of Zanzibar, is off the coast of Unguja on the west. It is a historic location in Zanzibar. This well-known town has been there since the 19th century, and it is famous for its architecture. The oldest section of Zanzibar island is commonly known as Mji Mkongwe. Stone Town…

Stone town situated on the island of Zanzibar, is off the coast of Unguja on the west. It is a historic location in Zanzibar. This well-known town has been there since the 19th century, and it is famous for its architecture. The oldest section of Zanzibar island is commonly known as Mji Mkongwe.

Stone Town is rich with influences from the Arab, Persian, Indian, and European cultures, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town’s name possibly comes from the style of stone-built homes erected by Arab traders that is there.

These were constructed using coralline rag stone and other materials used in the making of the structures at Stone Town. Buildings in Stone Area are also renowned for their intricately carved double doors, which are a favourite location for visitors to the town to take pictures near. The structures are renowned for their open courtyards, broad verandas, and lavish interior decoration.

There are also winding lanes with stores in Stone Town that provide a variety of goods for sale along the streets.

Another spot in Stone Town to consider is the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, the Old Dispensary, the Malindi Bamnara Mosque, Persian Baths, and the Palace Museum, which was formerly the Sultan of Zanzibar’s residence, among other attractions.

In addition, Stone Town is renowned for serving as a hub for trade between Asia and Africa.

This historic town also participated in the slave trade, and Zanzibar was one of the main ports used to import slaves from other East African nations. Stone Town was one of the largest open slave marketplaces where Dhows were used to transport slaves across the Indian Ocean from the mainland, and they are still used to convey visitors to the island today.

The historic slave market location in Zanzibar is now an Anglican cathedral. Tourists can take advantage of learning more about the way of life of the Zanzibaris while touring the island’s various attractions.

When it comes to the food in Stone Town, you may also sample the regional cuisine.
Forodhani Market is a food market where you may sample a variety of cuisines while in Zanzibar, making it one of the must-see attractions in Stone Town. The market is close to the water where affordable foods are served. A variety of foods, including meat, fish, coconut bread, cassava, and chapatti, are available. The market also sells a variety of tropical fruits such as mangoes, coconuts, and pineapple.

Zanzibar island is known as the spice island in addition to being an island with sand, sea, and sun. You can combine a visit to Stone Town with a stop at one of the island’s spice farms to learn more about how the spices are grown, sample some of the local cuisines that have been spiced, and then buy some of the spices, including vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.

Although the island has a rich cultural diversity, Swahili is the primary language used there. In addition to numerous other languages besides Arabic, English is also spoken on the island.
The majority of the residents of Stone Village are Muslims, and you will hear the call to prayer while on tours of the town. Additionally, in order to respect local customs and culture, tourists are advised to dress appropriately when on the island of Zanzibar.

During tours to Zanzibar island, there are a variety of lodging options nearby stone town, including luxury, midrange, and low-cost hotels. The Double Tree by Hilton, Tembo House, Golden Tulip, Dhow Palace Hotel, Zanzibar Palace Hotel, and Zanzibar Serena Hotel are a few of the hotels in the vicinity of Stone Town.

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