jump to the content

Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara

United Republic of Tanzania
Date of Inscription: 1981
Criteria: (iii)
Lindi Region, District of Kilwa
S8 57 28.0 E39 31 22.0
Ref: 144
Inscription Year on the List of World Heritage in Danger: 2004

Brief Description

The remains of two great East African ports admired by early European explorers are situated on two small islands near the coast. From the 13th to the 16th century, the merchants of Kilwa dealt in gold, silver, pearls, perfumes, Arabian crockery, Persian earthenware and Chinese porcelain; much of the trade in the Indian Ocean thus passed through their hands.