Gallery
Description
Property Name: Old Fort, Ngome Kongwe
Inventory No: 255-54-2
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2008-02-29
Country (State party): Tanzania
Province: Zanzibar
Town: Stone Town
Geographic coordinates: 6° 9′ 41.06″ S
39° 11′ 20.19″ E
Historic Period:
Year of Construction: 18th century
Style: Unknown
Original Use: Fortress
Current Use: Cultural
Architect: Unknown
Significance
The Old Fort was built around 1700 by Seyyid Said’s grandfather on the site of a Portuguese church from 1600. It was used by the Arabs to defend against attacks by the Portuguese.
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
In the 19th century, the fort was used as a prison and a place of execution. At the beginning of the 20th century, it became a depot for the Bububu Railway Line. Today a partially renovated portion houses the Zanzibar Cultural Center with an open-air theatre and art gallery. Traditional dance and music are performed here several times each week.
References
Web sources