- Address: Tharia St, Zanzibar Town, Tanzania
- Start date of construction: 1873.
- Date of completion: 1883.
- Entrance fee: free of charge
The Anglican Church of Christ Church in Stone Town in Zanzibar attracts with its unusual construction. From the first time you will not understand - Christian is a temple or a Muslim mosque. It is the first Catholic church in the vast territory of East Africa, and is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is one of the most outstanding tourist attractions on the island of Zanzibar.
Church outside
Built in 1887, the Cathedral Anglican will amaze you with its unusual for those places. Great and majestic, it is made, like most buildings on the island, made of coral stone, beautiful but not particularly durable. Outside, the building of the church will seem a bit boring to you, as it is sustained in a strict Gothic style with an admixture of Arabic - with a lot of pointed arches and the same windows with stained-glass windows, with a jagged frame and a tiled roof. Your eyes will appear a building of elongated shape with a rounded part in the place of the altar, the high tower-bell tower with a clock adorns the cathedral. The Anglican Church in Stone Town will take you back to the time of the Victorian era. But still, a heap of various elements makes the building look like a mosque.
Interior of the Cathedral
Going inward, you marvel at the beauty of the Anglican Church. During the construction, black workers brought their contribution to the construction, setting the columns inside the church upside down, thanks to the architect who allowed to leave so, the expression "Akuna Matata" became popular.
The altar part is decorated with an engraving composition with images of holy and biblical characters, with suspended multicolored lamps. Also your attention will be attracted by an amazing crucifix made of wood. It is established in memory of the scientist and the enemy of slavery, David Livingston. During the last expedition, he explored the origins of the Nile. By the way, in Zanzibar there is also the Livingston house - another popular attraction.
What to see near the church?
A monument to slaves is erected in front of the church, figures in concrete convey the whole harsh reality of colonial times. Around the temple, on the most slave square is a beautiful park, favorably shading the church building. From it close to the coast. Near the cathedral is a well-developed infrastructure: cafes, shops, hotels, banks, museums. In addition to the Anglican cathedral in Stone Town, there are a couple of interesting temples, an old fort, various markets, as well as the house where Freddie Mercury lived. At certain times, the church holds services.
How to get to the cathedral?
Find an Anglican church in Stone Town is easy, it is located on one of the central squares of the city. You can reach it on foot, by bus to the stop of Dala-Dala Terminus or by motor-rickshaw. It is most convenient to visit the tourist attraction with an excursion.
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