Gallery
Description
Property Name: Kizimkazi Old Mosque
Inventory No: 255-54-1
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2007-10-30
Country (State party): Tanzania
Province: Zanzibar
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 6°26’10.07″S
39°27’44.53″E
Historic Period:
Year of Construction: 1107, 1773
Style:
Original Use: Complex
Current Use: Mosque
Architect: Unknown
Significance
The Kizimkazi Mosque may be the oldest Islamic building in East Africa.
Selection Criteria
iii. to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
State of Preservation
The original mosque was constructed in the 12th century, but in the 18th century, the mosque had been partly reconstructed. The present situation of the mosque is mostly the result of this restoration. Recently, the east wall of the mosque has been reconstructed and the roof of the mosque was replaced with one of corrugated iron.
References
Abdul Sheriff. 1995. “Mosques, Merchants and Landowners in Zanzibar Stone Town” in The History and Conservation of Zanzibar Stone Town. Zanzibar: Department of Archives, Museums and Antiquities.
Garlake, Peter S. 1966. The Early Islamic Architecture of the East African Coast. London: Oxford University Press.
Archnet Web Site: http://archnet.org/