Kilwa, the Island With the Oldest Remaining Mosque Structure on the East African Coast

Are you thinking of spending some of your vacations in the historical town of Kilwa, Tanzania, an island with the oldest remaining mosque structure on the East African coast? If so, you are in the right place to find out more. Let me start by telling you a bit about Kilwa Kisiwani

Kilwa Vacations: Kilwa Kisiwani Tanzania — The Island of Kilwa (Island With the Oldest Remaining Mosque Structure on the East African Coast/Island With the Oldest Remaining Mosque Structure in the East African Coast)

Kilwa Kisiwani, along with an island 8 kilometers away, Songo Mnara, is the home of a UNESCO world heritage site known as “The Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara”.

On the island of Kilwa, you can see ruins that include what used to be the largest mosque in sub-Saharan Africa until the 16^th century, a palace that featured 100 rooms and an 80,000-liter octagonal bathing pool, a big fort, and lots more.

READ ALSO: The Distance from Dar to Kilwa Masoko & More on Visiting Kilwa

To see these ruins also involves sailing across the beautiful blue waters of the Kilwa Kisiwani Harbour from Kilwa Masoko on the mainland.

The ruins of Songo Mnara are less grand than those at Kilwa Kiswani but are still of historical interest because of the extent of the ruins.

The Songo Mnara ruins lay out a plan of a 15^th-century walled Swahili stone town and give a good idea of the physical arrangement of what such a town looked like.

To give you an idea of what there is to see during your vacations in Kilwa, here are some pictures I shared on Instagram after my trip there.

Pictures of Kilwa Kisiwani, the Island With the Oldest Mosque in East Africa

Kilwa Mosque (Oldest Remaining Mosque East Africa)

Photo Credit: Richard Mortel

Ruins of the Great Mosque of Kilwa (Island With Oldest Mosque in East African Coast)

Oldest Mosque in East Africa

The oldest mosque in East Africa is believed to be the Kizimkazi Mosque, located in the village of Kizimkazi on the southern coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania.

The mosque is also known as the Kizimkazi Dimbani Mosque. It is a historic mosque that dates back to the 12^th century, making it one of the oldest mosques in the region.

Kizimkazi Mosque has a long history and is considered a significant historical and cultural site in East Africa. It is known for its simple and ancient architectural style, including coral stone walls and a wooden minaret. The mosque is also known for its association with early Islamic exploration and trade along the East African coast.

First Mosque in Africa

The Mosque of the Companions is a mosque in the city of Massawa, Eritrea.

Dating to the early 7^th century C.E., it is believed to be the first mosque in the world

The mosque was reportedly built by companions of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad who travelled to Africa to flee persecution by people in the Hejazi city of Mecca, present-day Saudi Arabia.

Photo Credit: Richard Mortel