House of Wonders

The House of Wonders sits prominently on Mizingani Road, showing off a white exterior, cast-iron pillars, and multiple stories with wide verandas facing Forodhani Gardens. Inside, the building functions as a museum with exhibits about the island's past and the people who shaped it.

Sultan Barghash bin Said ordered this palace built in 1883, making it the first building on the island to have electric lights and an elevator. The construction showed the ruler's power and his embrace of new technologies that were appearing in the world at that moment.

The interior displays objects that show how Swahili people fished, sailed, and lived along the coasts through the centuries. Walking through the rooms, you see portraits of local leaders and maritime treasures that reveal the island's deep connection to the ocean.

Two bronze Portuguese cannons from the 16th century sit at the museum entrance, setting the tone for what lies inside. You can walk through exhibitions spread across several floors, and the upper levels offer good views over the town and harbor.

The building contains covered walkways called wikios above street level, which once allowed royal women to move between palaces without being seen. This hidden network within the complex still speaks to the social rules of that era.

Location: Stone Town

Location: Mjini District

Founders: Barghash bin Said Al Busaidi

Official opening: 1883

Part of: Stone Town

GPS coordinates: -6.16090,39.18960

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01