Kilwa Kisiwani - Husuni Kubwa

Husuni Kubwa is located east of the main collection of ruins at Kilwa Kisiwani on top of a steep cliff. Built early in the 14th C by Sultan al-Hasan ibn Sulaiman, Husuni Kubwa was only lived in for a short time and then abandoned before completion.

The palace overlooks the Indian Ocean and features over one hundred rooms with terraces around the sunken courtyards. Husuni Kubwa is a complex of buildings including the royal residence, servants quarters, a mosque and the Husuni Ndogo, a smaller version of Husuni Kubwa.

The South Court is surrounded by storage rooms and based on the design it was likely a center of commerce and trade for the palace. The residential section of the Husuni Kubwa features four courts including an audience court, domestic court, bathing court and private palace court. A notable feature of the Husuni Kubwa is the octagonal swimming pool. The corners of the pool have recesses that served as seats and there are steps in to the pool. A drain leads from the pool to let out over the cliff and it is sealed with two layers of plaster.

The northwestern corner of the palace has steps that lead to a small mosque. The mosque has 18 domes, with octagonal piers decorated in white porcelain set in the plaster.