Fort Jesus Mombasa Kenya
Built in the 16th century, this Unesco World Heritage treasure is Mombasa’s most visited site. The meter-thick walls, painted interiors, traces of European graffiti, Arabic inscriptions and Swahili embellishment aren’t just evocative, they’re a palimpsest of Mombasa’s history and the coast writ in stone. You can climb on the battlements and explore its tree-shaded grounds.
Constructed by the Portuguese in 1593 to serve as both a symbol and headquarters of their permanent presence at the East African coast. This however marked the end of their prominence at the coast. Between 1631 and the early 1870s, the Coast changed hands before finally falling under British control and was used as a jail. It later opened as a museum in 1960.
