Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara

The poetically named Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara are islands off the coast of Tanzania, about 280km south of Dar Es Salaam. Both islands are home to complexes of ruins that have been preserved under the protection of the Tanzanian government.

Kilwa was occupied between the 9th and 19th centuries, reaching its peak of prosperity from the 13th to the 14th century, when it was described by Ibn Battouta as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Its ruins show evidence of one great mosque and many smaller ones, an Arabian palace, and a large urban complex.

Songo Mnara is perhaps of lesser importance than Kilwa, having only five mosques and a few domestic dwellings. Ornaments and media of exchange, such as cowrie shells and pearls of glass and quartz have also been discovered at the sites.

The ruins on the two islands were declared World Heritage Sites due to their archaeological significance in understanding the origins of the Swahili culture, the influence of Islam on the African east coast, and commercial practice in the medieval and modern eras.

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