Ilha de Moçambique
Overview
Ilha de Mozambique is a city in Nampula Province with a historical heritage that's unmatched in the rest of Mozambique, and indeed the rest of Africa. It was the capital of Mozambique for nearly four centuries before the move to Lourenco Marques (now Maputo), and had been used as a major base for the arab traders long before the arrival of the portuguese.
[Edit]History
When to Go
[Edit]Transport
| » Getting Around |
| » Getting There & Away |
Practical Information
[Edit]Health & Safety
Accommodation
[Edit]Entertainment
[Edit]Shopping
[Edit]General Sights
Everywhere. Ilha's a magical mix of old portuguese and old muslim architecture. It basically divides into two halves - the old stone town in the north and the "reed town" in the south. However the reed town here is set down from the main streets. The museum is in the old Palacio Govierno, a big red building up in stone town. In the same building is a tourist information office that sells really good street maps and has all sorts of other information about the various restaurants and pensaos on the island. It's well worth heading here as soon as you arrive. Also well worth a visit is the fort at the northern tip of the island, which contains the Church of Nossa Senhora Baluarte, almost certainly the oldest surviving European building in the southern hemisphere, dating back to 1522
[Edit]General Activities
There's a dive centre at the northern end of the island just down from the fort. You can take boat trips, visit the museums, or just laze on the beach. If you're feeling adventurous take a dhow over to the mainland at Chaga or Mossuril and explore along the coast there.
Contribute to Unearth Travel and Help Create
The World's Finest Travel Guide
- Edit Information and Submit Photos
- CreativeCommons means it is Free to Share
Navigate the World and [Edit] the Content