Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara

World Heritage

United Republic of Tanzania

🎧 Listen to Introduction

The remains of two great East African ports admired by early European explorers lie on two small islands off the coast. From the 13th to the 16th centuries, Kilwa's merchants dealt in gold, silver, pearls, perfume, Arab pottery, Persian ceramics, and Chinese porcelain; much of the Indian Ocean trade passed through them.

# East Africa

# Indian Ocean Trade

# Port Relics

# 13th to 16th century

# merchant