The Old Fort Zanzibar

The Old Fort, or Boma la Kale, is the oldest building in Stone Town, standing along the seafront right beside the House of Wonders and facing the lively Forodhani Gardens. Its high brown walls square shape make it one of Zanzibar’s most recognizable landmarks.

The fort was first built by the Portuguese in the 17th century when they controlled parts of the East African coast. Its purpose was simple: to defend their trading posts and maintain control over the island. When the Omanis took over Zanzibar in the 18th century, they reconstructed the fort. The Omanis needed a stronghold to consolidate their power, protect the sultanate, and control the growing spice trade, especially cloves, which were becoming a major source of wealth. The rebuilding also reflected their architectural style and strategic approach to defense, making the fort more suitable as a military base and garrison.

Over the years, the fort’s function evolved. In the 19th century, it was used as a prison for those who opposed the sultanate, while soldiers lived  to protect the city. In the early 20th century, it became a storage depot for materials during the construction of the railway connecting Stone Town to Bububu , showing how the building adapted to the island’s changing infrastructure needs. Later, in 1947, a new guardhouse was added and used as a ladies’ club, highlighting the fort’s continued relevance in social and civic life. In the 1990s, an amphitheater was built inside the courtyard, paving the way for its modern role as a cultural hub. Today, it is the main venue for the Zanzibar International Film Festival and other major cultural events like Sauti za Busara, connecting the fort’s historic past with contemporary creativity.

Inside, the fort has a large central courtyard where traces of earlier structures remain. Visitors can see foundations of a Portuguese church and parts of the earlier Omani fortifications. Surrounding the courtyard are curio shops where traders sell  local crafts, including Tingatinga paintings, a restaurant, and an open-air amphitheater where live music and dance bring the fort to life in the evenings.

The Old Fort hold memories  of soldiers, prisoners, traders, and performers, making it a place where history is preserved and experienced.