View source for Stone Town

{{Short description|Town in Zanzibar, Tanzania}}
{{For|the settlement in Mozambique|Stone Town, Mozambique}}
{{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
|WHS= Stone Town
|Image= Zanzibar sultan palace.jpg
|Location=[[Zanzibar City]], Tanzania
|Criteria=Cultural: ii, iii, vi
|ID=173
|Year=2000
|Area=96 ha
|Buffer_zone=84.79 ha
|locmapin=Tanzania#
|coordinates={{coord|-6.1624|39.1913|type:city_region:TZ|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|caption=
}}

'''Stonetown of Zanzibar''' ({{langx|ar|مدينة زنجبار الحجرية|madīnat Zanjibār al-ḥajariyya}}), also known as {{langnf|swh|'''Mji Mkongwe'''|old town|italics=no}}, is the old part of [[Zanzibar City]], the main city of [[Zanzibar]], in [[Tanzania]]. The newer portion of the city is known as [[Ng'ambo]], Swahili for 'the other side'. Stone Town is located on the western coast of [[Unguja]], the main island of the [[Zanzibar Archipelago]]. Former capital of the [[Zanzibar Sultanate]], and flourishing centre of the [[spice trade]] as well as the [[Indian Ocean slave trade]] in the 19th century, it retained its importance as the main city of Zanzibar during the period of the British protectorate.<ref>{{Cite web|title =Zanzibar's slave market is a site made sacred by history |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/26/slave-markets-zanzibar |website=the Guardian|access-date=2016-01-03 |first1=David |last1=Smith |date=26 August 2010}}</ref> When [[Tanganyika (1961–1964)|Tanganyika]] and Zanzibar joined each other to form the [[United Republic of Tanzania]], Zanzibar kept a semi-autonomous status, with Stone Town as its local government seat.

Stone Town is a city of prominent historical and artistic importance in [[East Africa]]. Its architecture, mostly dating back to the 19th century, reflects the diverse influences underlying the [[Swahili culture]], giving a unique mixture of Arab, [[Persian people|Persian]], Indian and European elements. For this reason, the town was designated as a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]] in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Stone Town of Zanzibar - UNESCO World Heritage Centre|url = https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/173|website = whc.unesco.org|access-date = 2016-01-03}}</ref>

Due to its heritage, Stone Town is also a major [[visitor attraction]] in Tanzania, and a large part of its economy depends on [[tourism]]-related activities.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Zanzibar says we must not rely on tourism - BBC News|work = BBC News|url = https://www.bbc.com/news/business-34358099|access-date = 2016-01-03|language = en-GB}}</ref>

==Overview==
[[File:Zanzibar stone town pano.jpg|thumb|upright=2|Stone Town panorama]]
The heart of Stone Town mostly consists of a maze of narrow alleys lined by houses, shops, [[bazaar]]s and [[mosque]]s. Since most streets are too narrow for cars, the town is crowded with [[bicycle]]s and [[motorbike]]s. The seafront has wider streets and larger, more regularly placed buildings.

Stone Town's architecture has a number of distinctive features, as a result of Arab, Persian, Indian, European, and African traditions mixing together. The name "Stone Town" comes from the ubiquitous use of [[coral rag|coral stone]] as the main construction material; this stone gives the town a characteristic, reddish warm colour.<ref name="independent">{{Cite web|url=http://www.zanzibar.org/|title=Independent Travel Guide to Zanzibar|accessdate=Apr 22, 2023}}</ref><ref name="zanzibartravel.co.za">{{Cite web|title = The Palace Museum, Zanzibar - Zanzibar Travel|url = http://www.zanzibartravel.co.za/the-palace-museum.html|website = www.zanzibartravel.co.za|access-date = 2016-01-04}}</ref> Traditional buildings have a ''baraza'', a long stone bench along the outside walls; this is used as an elevated sidewalk if heavy rains make the streets impracticable, or otherwise as benches to sit down, rest, socialize.<ref name="overland">[http://www.overlandafrica.com/overlanding-destinations/zanzibar/stone_town.asp Stone Town] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125110137/http://www.overlandafrica.com/overlanding-destinations/zanzibar/stone_town.asp |date=2010-11-25 }} at Overland Africa</ref> Another key feature of most buildings is large [[veranda]]s protected by carved wooden [[balustrade]]s. The best-known feature of Zanzibari houses are the finely decorated wooden doors, with rich carvings and [[bas-relief]]s, sometimes with big brass studs of Indian tradition.<ref name="zanzibartravel.co.za"/> Two main types of doors can be distinguished: those of Indian style have rounded tops, while those in the Omani Arab style are rectangular. Carvings are often [[Islam]]ic in content (for example, many consist of verses of the [[Qur'an]]), but other symbolism is occasionally used, e.g., Indian [[padma (attribute)|lotus flowers]] as emblems of prosperity.<ref name="independent"/>

Stone Town is punctuated with major historical buildings, several of which are found on the seafront; these include former palaces of the sultans, fortifications, churches, mosques, and other institutional buildings.

[[File:Cine Afrique - Art Deco Cinema - Kiponda District - Stone Town - Zanzibar - Tanzania (8830689498).jpg|thumb|[[Art Deco]] detail of the [[Ciné Afrique]] in Stone Town]]

The Stone Town Conservation and Development Act of 1994 specifies actions and strategies to be taken to safeguard, conserve and develop the values of the Stone Town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stone Town of Zanzibar |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/173/ |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=whc.unesco.org}}</ref> Despite the establishment of a Conservation Authority,<ref name="zanzibartravel.co.za"/> about 80% of the 1,709 buildings of Stone Town are in a deteriorating condition.<ref>{{Cite web|title = HERITAGE @ RISK: SOUTHERN AFRICA|url = http://www.international.icomos.org/risk/world_report/2000/southernafrica_2000.htm|website = www.international.icomos.org|access-date = 2016-01-04}}</ref> As coral stone is very friable, frequent maintenance is needed for most of these buildings. Some major restoration projects (especially on the seafront) have been done in recent times by the [[Aga Khan Trust for Culture]] (AKTC).

==History==
{{See also|Timeline of Zanzibar City|History of Zanzibar}}
{{Quote box |width=22em |align=right   |bgcolor=#B0C4DE
|title=Zanzibar Historical affiliations
|fontsize=90% |quote={{noflag|}} [[Kilwa Sultanate|Sultanate of Kilwa]] before 1503<br /><!--
-->{{flagicon image|Flag Portugal (1640).svg}} [[Portuguese Empire]] 1503–1698<br /><!--
-->{{flagicon image|Standard of the Sultan of Oman.svg}} [[Sultanate of Oman]] 1698–1856<br /><!--
-->{{flagicon image|Flag of the Sultanate of Zanzibar (1963).svg}} [[Sultanate of Zanzibar]] 1856–1890<br /><!--
-->{{flagicon image|Flag of the United Kingdom.svg}} [[British Empire]] 1890–1963<br /><!--
-->{{flagicon image|Flag of Zanzibar (January-April 1964).svg}} [[People's Republic of Zanzibar|Republic of Zanzibar]] 1964<br /><!--
-->{{flag|Tanzania}} 1964–present
}}
[[File:Plan der Stadt Sansibar - Map of Zanzibar - Oscar Baumann.jpg|thumb|A map of Zanzibar City by [[Oscar Baumann]], 1892. Stone Town was the western peninsula.]]
=== Medieval Zanzibar ===

A Greco-Roman text between the 1st and 3rd centuries, the ''[[Periplus of the Erythraean Sea]]'', mentioned the island of ''Menuthias'' ({{langx|grc|Μενουθιάς}}), which is probably [[Unguja]].<ref name="Pearce">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XRRzAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA81-IA2|title=Zanzibar: The Island Metropolis of Eastern Africa|author=[[Francis Barrow Pearce]], C.M.G., E. P. |publisher=Dutton and Company|location=New York City|date=1920}}</ref> Zanzibar, like the nearby coast, was settled by Bantu-speakers at the outset of the first millennium. Archaeological finds at Fukuchani, on the north-west coast of Zanzibar, indicate a settled agricultural and fishing community from the 6th century CE at the latest. The considerable amount of daub found indicates timber buildings, and shell beads, bead grinders, and iron slag have been found at the site. There is evidence for limited engagement in long-distance trade: a small amount of imported pottery has been found, less than 1% of total pottery finds, mostly from the Gulf and dated to the 5th to 8th century. The similarity to contemporary sites such as Mkokotoni and Dar es Salaam indicate a unified group of communities that developed into the first center of coastal maritime culture. The coastal towns, including those on Zanzibar, appear to have been engaged in Indian Ocean trade at this early period. Trade rapidly increased in importance and quantity beginning in the mid-8th century and by the close of the 10th century Zanzibar was one of the central Swahili trading towns.<ref>Horton, Mark and Middleton, Tom. "The Swahili: The Social Landscape of a Mercantile Community." (Oxford: Blackwell, 2010), 46.</ref>

Shangani, the original fishing town that developed into Stone Town, was a small, largely unimportant Swahili site founded in the 11th century. Bigger towns at [[Unguja Ukuu]], [[Kizimkazi]], and [[Tumbatu]] were the island's powers from the 8th to the 16th century. The Portuguese built a church at Shangani in the early 16th century, and the Queen of northern [[Unguja]] had a house built there in the mid-17th century. When the Portuguese were ousted by Zanzibaris and Pembans in the 17th century, local patricians invited the Sultan of Oman to wield political power in exchange for defense against Portuguese reprisals. Part of the Portuguese church was built into the Omani fort, which housed roughly fifty soldiers. The Sultan also appointed a local governor, but political authority was still largely vested in the Mwinyi Mkuu, at this time [[Fatuma binti Yusuf al-Alawi|Queen Fatima]].<ref>Charles River Editors. "Zanzibar: The History of the International Trade Center off the Coast of Africa." (Charles River Editors, 2016)</ref>

Excavations at nearby Pemba Island, but especially at Shanga in the Lamu Archipelago, provide the clearest picture of architectural development. Houses were originally built with timber (c. 1050) and later in mud with coral walls (c. 1150). The houses were continually rebuilt with more permanent materials. By the 13th century, houses were built with stone, and bonded with mud, and the 14th century saw the use of lime to bond stone. Only the wealthier patricians would have had stone and lime built houses, the strength of the materials allowing for flat roofs, while the majority of the population lived in single-story thatched houses similar to those from the 11th and 12th centuries. According to Tom Middleton and Mark Horton, the architectural style of these stone houses have no Arab or Persian elements, and should be viewed as an entirely indigenous development of local vernacular architecture. While much of Zanzibar Town's architecture was rebuilt during Omani rule, nearby sites elucidate the general development of Swahili, and Zanzibari, architecture before the 15th century.<ref>Horton, Mark and Middleton, Tom. "The Swahili: The Social Landscape of a Mercantile Community." (Oxford: Blackwell, 2010), 119.</ref>

=== Omani Dominion ===
[[File:Sansibar, Sultanspalast.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|A sketch of Stone Town showing the old fort and palace from the year 1871 to the year 1875]]
Stone Town is located along a natural harbour and the first Europeans to set foot on the island of [[Zanzibar Archipelago|Zanzibar]] were the Portuguese. The Portuguese ruled the island for over two centuries and began constructing Stone Town's first stone structure, the [[Old Fort of Zanzibar|Old Fort]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Zanzibar Ngome Kongwe - Zanzibar Old Fort, Zanzibar Excursions|url = http://www.utalii.com/Zanzibar/Old_Fort.htm|website = www.utalii.com|access-date = 2016-01-04|archive-date = 2006-01-17|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060117150005/http://www.utalii.com/Zanzibar/Old_Fort.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref> However, towards the end of the 17th century the [[Sultanate of Oman]] took over the island and completed the fort to prevent future attacks.  The first stone houses in Stone Town probably began to be built in the early 1800s, gradually replacing an earlier fishing village around the [[Old Fort of Zanzibar|Old Fort]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = http://www.zanzibar.cc/stonetown.htm|title = Zanzibar Stone Town Introduction|access-date = 3 January 2016|website = zanzibar.cc|archive-date = 30 August 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100830040324/http://www.zanzibar.cc/stonetown.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref> The Old Fort, the oldest building in Stone Town, was built in 1699 by the Omanis.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mafotsing |first=Line Sidonie Talla |date=2022-09-27 |title=The Hidden History of Zanzibar's Stone Town |url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/stone-town-zanzibar-history |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=Atlas Obscura |language=en}}</ref> At the time the [[Sultanate of Oman]] controlled the [[Zanzibar Archipelago]], [[Mombasa]] and the [[Swahili coast]].

In 1824, [[Sultan]] [[Said bin Sultan, Sultan of Muscat and Oman|Said bin Sultan]] moved his seat from [[Muscat, Oman|Muscat]], Oman, to Stone Town, which thus entered an era of quick development as the new capital of the Sultanate of Oman and Zanzibar. With the British outlawing the [[Zanzibar slave trade|slave trade in the Indian Ocean]], the [[Sultanate of Oman|Sultanate's]] fortunes crashed. The Muscat economy was in shambles and many Omanis migrated to Zanzibar. The increase in the Arab population on the island facilitated further growth and more buildings began to spring up in the town. Furthermore, grand royal structures like the [[House of Wonders]] and the [[Sultan's Palace, Zanzibar|Sultan's Palace]] were also built. In 1861, as a consequence of a [[Muscat and Oman|war of succession]] within the Omani royal family, Zanzibar and Oman were separated, with Zanzibar becoming an independent sultanate under Sultan [[Sayyid Majid bin Said Al-Busaid|Majid bin Said]].

In the 19th century Stone Town flourished as a trading centre. It was especially renowned for the commerce of [[spice]]s (mostly [[cloves]]) and [[History of slavery|slaves]]. Around middle of the century, the sultanate had a close relationship with the British; [[David Livingstone]], for example, is known to have stayed in Stone Town in 1866 while he was preparing his final expedition into the interior of East Africa.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Dr. David Livingstone - exploring Africa and searching for the source of the nile - doctor Livingstone I presume|url = http://crawfurd.dk/africa/livingstone.htm|website = Crawfurd Homepage|access-date = 2016-01-04}}</ref> In the same period, several immigrant communities from [[Oman]], [[Iran|Persia]] and India formed as a consequence of the town's intense commercial activity. The Sultan of Zanzibar encouraged immigration of foreign traders who became very wealthy and settled in the city who brought diversity to the city's architecture.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Discovering the Rich History of the Indian Ocean World in Zanzibar|url = http://ultimatehistoryproject.com/discovering-the-rich-history-of-the-indian-ocean-world-in-zanzibar.html|website = ultimatehistoryproject.com|access-date = 2019-11-29}}</ref>

=== Colonial control ===
[[File:AngloZanzibarWar.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Effects of the British naval bombardment of the 1896 [[Anglo-Zanzibar War]]]]
In the last decades of the century, the [[Sultan of Zanzibar|Sultans of Zanzibar]] gradually lost their possessions in mainland [[East Africa]] to the [[German Empire]] and the United Kingdom. In 1890, with the [[Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty]], Zanzibar itself became a British [[protectorate]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/pdf/eng/606_Anglo-German%20Treaty_110.pdf|title = Wilhelmine Germany and the First World War, 1890-1918 Anglo-German Treaty [Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty] (July 1, 1890)|access-date = 3 January 2016|website = germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/|publisher = German History in Documents and Images}}</ref> In 1896, a sudden rebellion of the Zanzibari Omanis against the British rule led to the [[Anglo-Zanzibar War]], which is remembered as the shortest war in history: the Sultan surrendered after 45 minutes of [[naval bombardment]] of Stone Town by the [[Royal Navy]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = The Shortest War in History - The Anglo Zanzibar War|url = http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/The-Shortest-War-in-History/|website = www.historic-uk.com|access-date = 2016-01-04}}</ref>

During the period of British protection, the Sultan still retained some power and Stone Town remained a relatively important trading centre for the informal trade. Though the town previously had a small railway, the British constructed a [[History of rail transport in Zanzibar|railway]] from the Town to [[Bububu]] village. The British did not fund major developments in the town and allowed the sultan to manage the islands affairs from Stone Town.<ref>{{Cite web|title = HISTORY OF ZANZIBAR|url = http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ad52|website = www.historyworld.net|access-date = 2016-01-04}}</ref> The British gave privileges to [[Mombasa]] and [[Dar es Salaam]] as their trading stations in East Africa.

=== Zanzibar Revolution ===
{{main article|Zanzibar Revolution}}
[[File:People's Bank of Zanzibar.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Former house converted to People's Bank of Zanzibar after revolution]]
In 1964, Stone Town was the theatre of the [[Zanzibar Revolution]], which brought about the removal of the sultan and the birth of a [[socialism|socialist]] government led by the [[Afro-Shirazi Party]] (ASP). More than 20,000 people were killed and refugees, especially Arabs and Indians, escaped the island as a consequence of the revolution.<ref>{{Cite web|title = The forgotten genocide of the Zanzibar revolution - Speak Magazine|url = http://speakjhr.com/2014/01/forgotten-genocide-zanzibar-revolution/|website = Speak Magazine|access-date = 2016-01-04|language = en-US}}</ref> The Arabs and Indians left behind everything they had and the ASP quickly occupied old homes and converted them into public buildings. In 1964, when [[Tanganyika (1961–1964)|Tanganyika]] and Zanzibar combined to form [[Tanzania]], Stone Town kept its role as a capital and government seat for Zanzibar, which was declared a semi-autonomous part of the new nation.
{{clear2|right}}

==Geography==
[[File:Zanzibar StoneTown.png|thumb|upright=1.2|Aerial view of Stone Town and Stone Town Harbour]]

Stone Town is located roughly in the middle of the west coast of [[Unguja]], on a small [[promontory]] protruding into the [[Zanzibar Channel]]. The closest major settlement on the Tanzanian coast, opposite Stone Town, is [[Bagamoyo]] (to the south-west).<ref>{{Cite web|title = Zanzibar hotels Stone Town suburb.|url = http://www.zanzibarpalmtours.com/zanzibar_hotels_outside_stone_town.htm|website = www.zanzibarpalmtours.com|access-date = 2016-01-03|archive-date = 2016-03-04|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095947/http://www.zanzibarpalmtours.com/zanzibar_hotels_outside_stone_town.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref> Stone Town is part of [[Zanzibar City]], which also includes the 'New City' of [[Ng'ambo]] ("the Other Side"), which mostly extends in the interior of Unguja to the south-east. The dividing line between Stone Town and Ng'ambo is Creek Road, later renamed to Benjamin Mkapa Road, marking the west side of the now reclaimed creek that separated them.<ref>{{Cite web|title = An introduction to Zanzibar Town on the island of Zanzibar in Tanzania.|url = http://www.zanzibar-travel-guide.com/bradt_guide.asp?bradt=1764|website = www.zanzibar-travel-guide.com|access-date = 2016-01-03}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations |||1870 Est.|10,000|||||||1948|16,698|1958|18,179|||1978|15,493|1988|15,854|||2008|15,000|2016 Est.|16,000|type = USA|align = left|cols = }}
{{clear}}

==Landmarks==
{{main article|List of Landmarks in Stone Town}}

===Historical buildings and sites===
{{wide image|Zanzibar Panorama.jpg|1500px|A panorama of Zanzibar, particularly the Stone Town, panorama taken from the Indian Ocean. Seen in the picture are the Sultan's palace, [[House of Wonders]], [[Forodhani Gardens]], and the St. Joseph's Cathedral.}}
[[File:Beit al Ajaib, 2010.jpg|right|thumb|The House of Wonders, now hosting a museum on Swahili culture]]
[[File:Old Fort of Zanzibar.jpg|thumb|right|The old fort as seen from the House of Wonders]]

[[File:Forodhani park food stand.jpg|thumb|right|Zanzibari cuisine is sold at the Forodhani gardens.]]
#The [[House of Wonders]] (or "Palace of Wonders", also known as "Beit-al-Ajaib"), in located on the Mizingani Road along the Stone Town seafront, and is probably the most well-known landmarks of Stone Town. It was built in 1883 and restored after the [[Anglo-Zanzibar War]] of 1896. Formerly the [[Sultan]]'s residence, it became the seat of the [[Afro-Shirazi Party]] after [[Zanzibar Revolution|the revolution]]. It was the first building in Zanzibar to have [[electricity]] as well as the first building in East Africa to have a [[Elevator|lift]]. Since 2000, its interior has been dedicated to a museum on Swahili and Zanzibar culture.<ref>{{Cite web|title = House of Wonders and Palace Museum {{!}} World Monuments Fund|url = https://www.wmf.org/project/house-wonders-and-palace-museum|website = www.wmf.org|access-date = 2016-01-04}}</ref> In December 2020, during renovations, a large part of the building collapsed in a major accident.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ndilwa |first1=Lilian |last2=Kalumbia |first2=Louis |title=Zanzibar in Shock As House of Wonders Collapses |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202012260062.html |access-date=28 December 2020 |agency=allAfrica}}</ref>
#The [[Old fort of Zanzibar|Old Fort]] ("Ngome Kongwe" in Swahili), adjacent to the House of Wonders, is a heavy stone fortress that was built in the 17th century by the Omanis. Also known as the Omani fort it was built by the early rulers to protect the city from European invasions. It has a roughly square shape and the internal courtyard is now a cultural centre with shops, workshops, and a small arena where live dance and music shows are held daily.<ref name=":0"/> The fort location is also used for the [[Zanzibar International Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = East Africa: Shock Cancellation of Sauti Za Busara Music Fest|url = http://allafrica.com/stories/201508312339.html|website = allAfrica.com|publisher = Allafrica|access-date = 2016-01-04}}</ref>
#The [[Old Dispensary (Zanzibar)|Old Dispensary]] (or "Ithnashiri Dispensary")<ref name=":0"/> was built from 1887 to 1894 by a wealthy Indian trader, to serve as a charity hospital for the poor but was later used as a [[dispensary]]. It is one of the most finely decorated buildings of Stone Town, with large carved wooden balconies, stained-glass windows, and [[Neoclassical architecture|neo-classical]] [[stucco]] adornments. After falling into decay in the 1970s and 1980s, the building was accurately restored by the AKTC.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Zanzibar Stone Town Projects: From the Old Dispensary to the Stone Town Cultural Centre|url = http://www.akdn.org/aktc_hcp_zanzibar3.asp|website = www.akdn.org|access-date = 2016-01-04|archive-date = 2016-03-04|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053507/http://www.akdn.org/aktc_hcp_zanzibar3.asp|url-status = dead}}</ref>
#The [[Palace Museum, Zanzibar|Palace Museum]] (also known as the "Sultan's Palace", "Beit el-Sahel" in Arab) is another former sultan's palace, on the seafront, to the north of the House of Wonders.<ref name="travel2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.zanzibartravel.it/index.php?lang=it&area=5&menuid=122|title=Stone Town - Zanzibar Town|website=www.zanzibartravel.it|accessdate=Apr 22, 2023|archive-date=February 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217225055/http://www.zanzibartravel.it/index.php?lang=it&area=5&menuid=122|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was built in late 19th century and now hosts a museum about the daily life of the Zanzibari royal family, including items that belonged to [[Emily Ruete|Sayyida Salme]], a former Zanzibar princess who fled to relocate in Europe with her husband.
#The [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] cathedral of [[Christ Church, Zanzibar|Christ Church]], on Mkunazini Road, was built at the end of the 19th century by [[Edward Steere]], third [[bishop]] of Zanzibar.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Zanzibar Christians|url = http://www.zanzibarhistory.org/zanzibar_christians.htm|website = www.zanzibarhistory.org|access-date = 2016-01-04}}</ref> The [[cathedral]] was constructed in a large area at the centre of Stone Town that previously hosted the biggest slave market of Zanzibar; the place was deliberately chosen to celebrate the end of slavery, and the altar was in the exact spot where the main whipping post of the market used to be. A monument to the slaves, as well as a museum on the history of slavery, are besides the church.<ref>{{Cite web|title = History & Heritage|url = http://www.zanzibaranglican.or.tz/history-heritage/|website = Anglican Diocese of Zanzibar|access-date = 2016-01-04|language = en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Friends Of Zanzibar|url = http://www.zanzibarfriends.org/|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100610210235/http://www.zanzibarfriends.org/|url-status = usurped|archive-date = June 10, 2010|website = Friends Of Zanzibar|access-date = 2016-01-04|language = en-US}}</ref>
#The [[Roman Catholic]] Cathedral of [[St. Joseph's Cathedral, Zanzibar|St. Joseph]] was built by French [[missionary|missionaries]] between 1893 and 1897. The design of the church was based on that of the [[Marseille Cathedral]], its façade, with two high spires, is one of the most well-known landmarks of Stone Town and can be seen from a distance when sailing into the harbor. The church is still operational today and holds regular mass on Sundays.<ref name=":0"/>
#The [[Forodhani Gardens]] are a small park in the main sea walk of Stone Town, right in front of the Old Fort and the House of Wonders. The garden was recently restored for 3 million dollars by the [[Aga Khan Trust for Culture]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Aga Khan Trust for Culture Starts US$2.2 million Revitalisation of Forodhani Park in Zanzibar's Historic Stone Town|url = http://www.akdn.org/Content/455/|website = www.akdn.org|access-date = 2016-01-04|archive-date = 2016-03-04|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065603/http://www.akdn.org/Content/455/|url-status = dead}}</ref> Every evening after sunset the gardens host a popular, tourist-oriented market selling grilled seafood and other [[Zanzibari cuisine|Zanzibari recipe]]s which attracts both tourists and locals<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{Cite web|title = Zanzibar Pizza|url = http://www.afar.com/places/forodhani-gardens-zanzibar-town-3|website = AFAR Media|access-date = 2016-01-04|archive-date = 2015-12-17|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151217134411/http://www.afar.com/places/forodhani-gardens-zanzibar-town-3|url-status = dead}}</ref>

==Transportation==
[[File:Zanzibar_Stone_Town03.jpg|thumb|Zanzibari "mabasi" waiting for passengers at the Bus Terminal]]

The streets in Stone Town are very narrow and  getting almost anywhere within the town must be done on foot. The narrow streets provide shade and almost everything is accessible from within the town. However, on slightly wider roads historically bicycles and now most recently motor cycles are used to transport people and goods. The town is accessible from Zanzibar and the rest of the region through three possible ports of entry.

The main form of public transport in Zanzibar are the [[daladala]] [[share taxi]]s; and the main station is located by the Darajani Market. Daladalas connect Stone Town to several island locations, such as [[Bububu]] (a village north of Stone Town), the airport, the [[Amaan Stadium]], Jangombe, and [[Magomeni, Zanzibar]].<ref name="virtual">[http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Tanzania/Zanzibar_Island-2235628/Transportation-Zanzibar_Island-BR-1.html Transportation on the island of Unguja]</ref> For longer trips, "mabasi" (Swahili for "bus", singular "basi") are available, which are trucks adapted for passenger transport. The main "mabasi" station is also close to the Market and the "mabasi" network stretch across the entire island and is the cheapest form of long-distance transit.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Zanzibar Island Transportation|url = http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Tanzania/Zanzibar_Island-2235628/Transportation-Zanzibar_Island-BR-1.html|website = VirtualTourist.com|access-date = 2016-01-04}}</ref>

The main Zanzibar island harbour is in the heart of Stone Town and regular ferries from [[Dar es Salaam]] and [[Pemba Island|Pemba]] connect the town to the mainland.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Ferry between Dar es Salaam & Zanzibar - Zanzibar Quest|url = http://www.zanzibarquest.com/ferries-flights/ferry-dar-es-salaam-zanzibar.html|website = www.zanzibarquest.com|access-date = 2016-01-04}}</ref> The town is also in close proximity to the Island's major airport. [[Zanzibar Airport]], {{convert|9|km|abbr=off}} south of Stone Town has flights to mainland Tanzania (especially [[Arusha]] and [[Dar es Salaam]]) as well as other African main airports such as [[Nairobi]], [[Mombasa]], and [[Johannesburg]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = ZANZIBAR AIRPORTS AUTHORITY|url = http://zaa.go.tz/index.html|website = zaa.go.tz|access-date = 2016-01-04|archive-date = 2016-03-07|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160307002415/http://zaa.go.tz/index.html|url-status = dead}}</ref>

== Climate ==
{{See also|Climate of Tanzania}}
Stone Town along with the entire [[Zanzibar Archipelago]] experiences a similar climate throughout the year. The island has a hot [[tropical]] weather all year round with the hottest months being February and March and the cooler months being July and August. During most months of the year there is significant rainfall with a long rain season spanning from March–May and a shorter rain season from November–December.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Climate: Stone Town – Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table – Climate-Data.org|url = http://en.climate-data.org/location/435/|website = en.climate-data.org|access-date = 2016-01-04}}</ref> The lesser dry season occurs between December–February and May–August and consequently is the peak tourist season due to [[Tourism in Zanzibar|beach tourism]] on the island. 
{{Weather box|width=75%
|location = Stone Town
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|temperature colour= pastel
|Jan high C = 32
|Feb high C = 32
|Mar high C = 32
|Apr high C = 31
|May high C = 30
|Jun high C = 29
|Jul high C = 29
|Aug high C = 29
|Sep high C = 30
|Oct high C = 31
|Nov high C = 31
|Dec high C = 32
|Jan low C = 24
|Feb low C = 24
|Mar low C = 25
|Apr low C = 25
|May low C = 23
|Jun low C = 23
|Jul low C = 22
|Aug low C = 22
|Sep low C = 22
|Oct low C = 22
|Nov low C = 23
|Dec low C = 24
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 53.7
|Feb rain mm = 53.9
|Mar rain mm = 116.0
|Apr rain mm = 178.6
|May rain mm = 131.8
|Jun rain mm = 35.3
|Jul rain mm = 29.5
|Aug rain mm = 23.9
|Sep rain mm = 14.8
|Oct rain mm = 52.0
|Nov rain mm = 75.9
|Dec rain mm = 80.9
|Jan rain days = 5
|Feb rain days = 5
|Mar rain days = 8
|Apr rain days = 11
|May rain days = 10
|Jun rain days = 4
|Jul rain days = 2
|Aug rain days = 2
|Sep rain days = 3
|Oct rain days = 4
|Nov rain days = 9
|Dec rain days = 8
|Jan record high C=35
|Feb record high C=38
|Mar record high C=38
|Apr record high C=34
|May record high C=33
|Jun record high C=32
|Jul record high C=31
|Aug record high C=31
|Sep record high C=32
|Oct record high C=32
|Nov record high C=36
|Dec record high C=34
|Jan record low C=18
|Feb record low C=22
|Mar record low C=16
|Apr record low C=19
|May record low C=18
|Jun record low C=19
|Jul record low C=18
|Aug record low C=18
|Sep record low C=14
|Oct record low C=14
|Nov record low C=15
|Dec record low C=16
|source 1 = MSN Weather<ref name="msn-weather">{{cite web
|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/today/stone-towntanzania/we-city?q=stone-town&form=PRWLAS&iso=TZ&el=%2fnj%2b8z2rQWcEdQNVZu5p3Q%3d%3d|title=MSN Weather
|website=[[MSN]]
|access-date=December 11, 2017<!-- 2008 -->}}</ref><ref name="zan-weather">{{cite web
|url=http://zanzibar.net/weather_climate/
|title=Zanzibar Weather
|access-date=January 3, 2016<!-- 2008 -->
|archive-date=December 29, 2015
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229224656/http://zanzibar.net/weather_climate/
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>
}}

==Notable residents==
* [[Freddie Mercury]] (Farrokh Bulsara), lead vocalist of British band [[Queen (band)|Queen]], was born in Stone Town.
* [[Ali Muhsin al-Barwani]], first foreign minister of independent Zanzibar
* [[Bi Kidude]], singer
* [[David Livingstone]], Scottish explorer and missionary
* [[Tippu Tip]], slave trader
* [[Abdulrazak Gurnah]], Nobel prize laurates in literature.

==Gallery==
<gallery style="text-align:center;" mode="packed">
File:Old dispensary front.jpg|The Old Dispensary
File:Shangani Post Office, Zanzibar.jpg|Shangani Post Office
File:Stone Town - Zanzibar - door.jpg|Traditional Zanzibar style door
File:Freddie Mercury's birthplace.jpg|Birth house of Freddie Mercury
File:Christ Church Stone Town Zanzibar.jpg|The [[Anglican Church of Tanzania|Anglican]] [[Christ Church, Zanzibar|Cathedral of Zanzibar]]
File:Stone Town of Zanzibar-108843.jpg|Old Fort
File:Stone Town of Zanzibar-108845.jpg|St. Joseph's Cathedral, Zanzibar
File:Stone Town of Zanzibar-108847.jpg|[[Swahili door]]
File:The_French_Post_Office_in_Malindi_(Road),_Zanzibar_Stone_Town,_19th_century.jpg|"Poste française". French post office with French flag in Stone Town, before 1900.
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commonscatinline}}
* {{wikivoyage-inline}}
* [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/173 UNESCO Stone Town Site]
* [http://stcda-zanzibar.org Stone Town Conservation and Development Authority] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022152424/http://stcda-zanzibar.org/ |date=2016-10-22 }}
* [http://www.tanzania.go.tz/census/census/districts/town.htm Zanzibar Urban District Homepage for the 2002 Tanzania National Census]
{{National Historic Sites of Tanzania}}
{{Districts of Zanzibar West}}
{{World Heritage Sites in Tanzania}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Swahili city-states]]
[[Category:Swahili architecture]]
[[Category:Cities in Zanzibar]]
[[Category:Zanzibar City]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Tanzania]]
[[Category:Aga Khan Trust for Culture projects]]
[[Category:Geography of Mjini Magharibi Region]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites of Eastern Africa]]