House of Wonders

Located in Stone Town, the House of Wonders is a landmark building. It stands as the largest and tallest building in Stone Town, occupying a prominent position on the old town’s seafront on Mizingani Road, facing the Forodhani Gardens. The House of Wonders was constructed in 1883 by Barghash bin Said, the second Sultan of Zanzibar, as a ceremonial palace. It holds the distinction of being the first building in Zanzibar to have electricity and the first building in East Africa to have an elevator. Today, the House of Wonders is home to the Museum of History and Culture of Zanzibar and the Swahili Coast. The museum showcases the blend of Portuguese, English, Omani, and Swahili culture that is characteristic of Zanzibar. Exhibits include traditional Swahili garments, David Livingstone’s medical chest, and carved wooden doors inscribed with phrases from the Quran.