The Old Slave Market & Anglican Cathedral

The Old Slave Market and the Anglican Cathedral of Christ Church stand on the same historic site in Stone Town, but they represent two different periods. One tells the story of slavery in Zanzibar, and the other marks the end of it.

The area was once one of the main slave markets in East Africa. During the nineteenth century, enslaved people from the mainland were brought to Zanzibar, held in underground chambers, and sold in open auctions. The market operated under the control of Arab traders and local chiefs, and it became a central point for the region’s slave trade. Inside the site today, two original holding rooms still remain. These small chambers were used to confine men, women, and children before they were taken outside for sale.

In 1873, slavery was officially abolished in Zanzibar after a treaty between Sultan Barghash and the British. Soon after, the British missionary Edward Steere purchased the former market grounds and began the construction of an Anglican cathedral to symbolize a new chapter. The Cathedral of Christ Church was built between 1873 and 1887. It was designed using coral stone blocks and features a long nave with pointed arches and stained-glass windows.

Today, the site functions as both a memorial and a museum. Visitors can explore the chambers where enslaved people were held, see sculptures that honor their memory, and learn about the efforts that ended the trade. The Anglican cathedral remains an active church while also serving as a historical landmark.

The Old Slave Market and the Anglican Cathedral stand in the same place, showing how a location once linked to suffering became a symbol of change and remembrance in Zanzibar’s history.