Gallery
Description
Property Name: Makutani Palace Ruins
Inventory No: 255-27-4
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2008-02-26
Country (State party): Tanzania
Province: Tanga
Town: Kilwa
Geographic coordinates:8°57’35.06″S
39°29’45.78″E
Historic Period:
Year of Construction:
Style:
Original Use: Palace
Current Use:
Architect: Unknown
Significance
The palace is organized around a large main courtyard and contains various courts and terraces. A defensive wall surrounds the palace which is a new feature on the coast.
Selection Criteria
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
State of Preservation
On Kilwa, the ruins of the Palace of Husuni Kubwa and a collapsed section of the original town wall near Makutani Palace were both restored. In March 2014, in addition to restoring 13 structures, the conservation team completed the reconstruction of the main water reservoir on Songo Mnara, providing a regular supply of fresh water to the island, which previously had to import it during the dry season.
References
Garlake, Peter S. 1966. The Early Islamic Architecture of the East African Coast. London: Oxford University Press.
https://www.wmf.org/project/historic-sites-kilwa