Kilwa -- full name Kilwa Kisiwani -- is a former city-state that rose to become one of the most dominant trading centers on the coast of East Africa in the 13th and 14th century.
The standing ruins of Kilwa —
Kilwa -- full name Kilwa Kisiwani -- is a former city-state that rose to become one of the most dominant trading centers on the coast of East Africa in the 13th and 14th century.
© UNESCO/Ron Van Oers
Kilwa was situated on an island off the coast of modern-day southern Tanzania. The city was founded in the late 10th century but was nearly destroyed by the Portuguese in 1505. Thereafter, it started declining before eventually being abandoned.
The standing ruins of Kilwa —
Kilwa was situated on an island off the coast of modern-day southern Tanzania. The city was founded in the late 10th century but was nearly destroyed by the Portuguese in 1505. Thereafter, it started declining before eventually being abandoned.
© UNESCO/Ron Van Oers
During its heyday, the island city was a major trading point for gold and ivory from Africa's interior and pottery, porcelains and other goods from the Far East.
The standing ruins of Kilwa —
During its heyday, the island city was a major trading point for gold and ivory from Africa's interior and pottery, porcelains and other goods from the Far East.
© UNESCO/Ron Van Oers
Five Kilwa coins, believed to date back to the 1100s, were discovered in the Wessel Islands, near Australia's Northern Territory. Pictured, Mission Bay, Elcho Island, Wessel Islands, at Cadell Strait.
Wessel Islands —
Five Kilwa coins, believed to date back to the 1100s, were discovered in the Wessel Islands, near Australia's Northern Territory. Pictured, Mission Bay, Elcho Island, Wessel Islands, at Cadell Strait.
Mike Owen
"From the 1100s to the 1300s, Kilwa was the most prominent port in the entire east African coast, bigger than Mombasa, Zanzibar and Mogadishu," says professor Ian McIntosh.
The standing ruins of Kilwa —
"From the 1100s to the 1300s, Kilwa was the most prominent port in the entire east African coast, bigger than Mombasa, Zanzibar and Mogadishu," says professor Ian McIntosh.
© UNESCO/Ron Van Oers
Today, the city is covered by the standing remains that survived of the ancient city, including several mosques, a Portuguese fort and the famed Husuni Kubwa palace.
The standing ruins of Kilwa —
Today, the city is covered by the standing remains that survived of the ancient city, including several mosques, a Portuguese fort and the famed Husuni Kubwa palace.
© UNESCO/Ron Van Oers
The Great Mosque of Kilwa Kisiwani is the oldest standing mosque on the East African coast, according to UNESCO, which declared the city a World Heritage Site in 1981.
The standing ruins of Kilwa —
The Great Mosque of Kilwa Kisiwani is the oldest standing mosque on the East African coast, according to UNESCO, which declared the city a World Heritage Site in 1981.
© UNESCO/Ron Van Oers
The mosque's great domes, some of which were decorated with porcelain from China, dates from the 13th century.
The standing ruins of Kilwa —
The mosque's great domes, some of which were decorated with porcelain from China, dates from the 13th century.
© UNESCO/Ron Van Oers