Stone Town: A Must See Attraction in Zanzibar
Also known as Mji Mkongwe, Stone Town is the old part of Zanzibar City in Tanzania. It is the former capital of the Zanzibar Sultanate and was once a flourishing hub of the spice and slave trades during the 19th century. Stone Town remains the cultural center of Zanzibar because it was able to maintain its mosques, grand Arab houses, winding alleys and bazaars in the last 200 years.
The city has a lot of prominent artistic and historical artifacts that are valuable in the East African culture, hence, it has been considered as a major tourist attraction in the country. In fact, a big part of Stone Town’s economy relies on tourism and related activities. UNESCO has declared Stone Town as a World Heritage Site.
The architecture in the city was built in the 19th century, and many of the houses erected during that period still remain standing today. A number of buildings have already been renovated and restored by the Stone Town Conservation Authority to bring back the original magnificence of these masterpieces. Almost all major hotels in in the area are housed in the renovated buildings.
Stone Town isn’t a fairy tale area at all—real people live and work here. It’s not a theme park or a museum, therefore, sensitivity and respect should be given to the local people.
Take time to see the beauty of Stone when you get a long break from your phlebotomy training classes or over the holidays. The moment you step foot to Stone Town you will surely be captivated by its beauty.
