Stone Town is the cultural heart of Zanzibar and little has changed in the last 200 years. The narrow streets and winding alleyways are lined with grand houses as the original Arab owners vied with each other for the most extravagant. Over 500 examples of handiwork are reflected in the brass-studded, carved wooden doors. The majority of homes in
Stone Town were built in the 19th C when Zanzibar was one of the most important Swahili trading towns in the Indian Ocean. The trading activity between Asia and Africa is evident by the architecture and urban structure of Stone Town.
As the world's oldest functioning Swahili city, many of the landmarks in Stone Town are being restored to their original glory. Coral was used in most of the buildings but has easily eroded leaving most of the houses in a poor state of repair.
A walk along Creek Road takes visitors to the original Stone Town area and the location of the Central Darajani Market, Beit el-Amani, City Hall and the Anglican Cathedral.
While visiting Stone Town, tourists can enjoy 'Spice Tours' which take them on a tour of plantations, sights of historical interest and to some of the ruins. On the tours, tourists can sample many spices, herbs and fruits that are produced on the island and see what they look like growing wild. These include cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper, vanilla, breadfruit and lemongrass.
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