Stone Town - House of Wonders

(Local Name: Beit el-Ajaib) Beit el-Ajaib is Zanzibar's tallest building, standing four stories high. Built in 1883 for Sultan Barghash, Beit el-Ajaib was the first building on the island to have electricity this gave it the name 'House of Wonders'.

In 1896 the British navy bombarded Beit el-Ajaib in an effort to force Sultan Barghash to abdicate. Later the building housed the headquarters of the Tanzania political party CCM.

Two Portugese cannons, from the 16th C, guard the enormous carved doors while inside Beit el-Ajaib the marble-floored rooms house the Museum of History and Culture. Exhibits include dhow culture of the Indian Ocean, the struggle for independence, Swahili civilization and displays on the history of the Swahili Coast.