Region: Zanzibar
Access: By road
Attractions: The Old Fort, Forodhani, Artifacts
Activities: History walk
Accommodation: Available nearby
Best time to visit: All year round
Useful link: Zanzibar Commission for Tourism
Erected by the Omani Arabs about 1700 from materials of a Portuguese chapel and stone. Later used as barracks, prison and repair shops for the Bububu railway
The Old Fort is an old monumental building that was erected by the Busaidi Omani Arabs in the early 1700s. The fort was built just after the Arabs had expelled the Portuguese from the East African coast in 1699. The fort served as a defense against the Portuguese and the Mazrui, a rival Omani group who occupied Mombasa. It was constructed on the site of a Portuguese church that was built from 1598 to 1612. In the main courtyard, you can still see remnants of the old church incorporated into the inside wall.
During the 19th century, the fort was further expanded and served as a prison and quarters for Sultan’s Bauchi bodyguards. The iron guns lined the sea front at Forodhani and the main market was just outside its walls. The Swahili term for prison, gereza, is believed to have originated from the Portuguese word ireja, which means church
During the early 20th century, specifically between 1905 and 1928, the fort served as a depot for the railway line connecting Zanzibar Town to Bububu. Following the removal of the railway in 1946, a new gatehouse was constructed, and the main courtyard was repurposed as a ladies’ tennis club. A notable feature was the installation of a large door with a smaller inset door from the residence of Sultan Humoud B. Muhammad’s brother. However, with the onset of the 1964 Revolution, the fort gradually fell into disrepair
In 1994, a portion of the fort was transformed into an open-air theatre. The renovation was carried out with a blend of creativity and respect for the original architectural style, with seating arranged in an amphitheatre layout. The fort’s outer walls, along with the House of Wonders, provided a picturesque backdrop for performances ranging from contemporary to traditional music, drama, and dance. Presently, the fort has undergone restoration and is accessible to tourists, offering the opportunity to ascend the battlements and explore the towers on the western side
The Old Fort is an old monumental building that was erected by the Busaidi Omani Arabs in the early 1700s. The fort was built just after the Arabs had expelled the Portuguese from the East African coast in 1699. The fort served as a defense against the Portuguese and the Mazrui, a rival Omani group who occupied Mombasa. It was constructed on the site of a Portuguese church that was built from 1598 to 1612. In the main courtyard, you can still see remnants of the old church incorporated into the inside wall
During the 19th century, the fort was further expanded and served as a prison and quarters for Sultan’s Bauchi bodyguards. The iron guns lined the sea front at Forodhani and the main market was just outside its walls. The Swahili term for prison, gereza, is believed to have originated from the Portuguese word ireja, which means church
During the early 20th century, specifically between 1905 and 1928, the fort served as a depot for the railway line connecting
Zanzibar Town to Bububu. Following the removal of the railway in 1946, a new gatehouse was constructed, and the main courtyard was repurposed as a ladies’ tennis club. A notable feature was the installation of a large door with a smaller inset door from the residence of Sultan Humoud B. Muhammad’s brother. However, with the onset of the 1964 Revolution, the fort gradually fell into disrepair
In 1994, a portion of the fort was transformed into an open-air theatre. The renovation was carried out with a blend of creativity and respect for the original architectural style, with seating arranged in an amphitheatre layout. The fort’s outer walls, along with the House of Wonders, provided a picturesque backdrop for performances ranging from contemporary to traditional music, drama, and dance. Presently, the fort has undergone restoration and is accessible to tourists, offering the opportunity to ascend the battlements and explore the towers
Excavations have uncovered evidence suggesting that The Old Fort may have been a significant Swahili town dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to have been part of the palace of the Shirazi Queen Fatuma
Interesting facts about The Old Fort
- Also known as The Arab Fort, The Old Fort is the oldest building in Zanzibar
- Excavations have suggested that The Old Fort may have been the location of a significant Swahili town dating back to the 11th century, possibly including part of the palace of the Shirazi Queen Fatuma
- The fort was built on top of what used to be a Portuguese Chapel built between 1598 and 1612
Getting to The Old Fort
The Old Fort can be accessed by road from Zanzibar town. From the ferry, or the famous Forodhani garden, the fort is just a minute walk away. At the fort, you will get to see the old structures, local vendors/markets as well as several offices which are now used for tourism activities. Next to the fort is the House of Wonders, which was the first building in Zanzibar to have electricity, and the first in East Africa to have an elevator. Sadly, the building collapsed in 2020 and as of March 2024 the renovation and restoration work was still ongoing therefore inaccessible.
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