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The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)

Nr. Beit el-Ajaib, Stone Town, Tanzania
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Ranked #10 of 13 attractions in Stone Town
Type: Ancient Ruins
Description:
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62 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    4
    13
    30
    11
    4
Date Rating
toscana
Top Contributor
98 reviews 98 reviews
9 attraction reviews
Reviews in 47 cities Reviews in 47 cities
62 helpful votes 62 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed June 18, 2013 NEW

The only place in Stonetown where they performed music groups(often on Friday evenings and Sunday too) is also the headquarters of Sauti Za Busara,the mega event of music and Swahili culture which is held every year in February in Zanzibar.

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See 12 more reviews by lacerasella for Stone Town
rotterdam
Top Contributor
82 reviews 82 reviews
34 attraction reviews
Reviews in 39 cities Reviews in 39 cities
47 helpful votes 47 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed June 10, 2013

The old Arabian fort is worth while going to. There are some nice spots and at night the open air theater is most likely a treat. The down side is that the fort is full of shopkeepers that try to sell you their trinkets with their usual aggressiveness. Very unfortunate and it does take away from the experience. However do... More

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See 2 more reviews by vinker for Stone Town
USA
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
9 attraction reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
23 helpful votes 23 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed June 2, 2013

The fort was definitely old and you could still see the layout, but now it serves more of a place for tourists to get cornered to buy local wears. Want a temporary tattoo? You can do that here. Want to buy some local knickknacks? They have numerous stands. Want to explore the ruins? Not going to really happen - most... More

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See 3 more reviews by theapp for Stone Town
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Senior Contributor
33 reviews 33 reviews
16 attraction reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 24, 2013

A centrepiece of Stonetown. A place where large events(Jazz Festival) can be held. We were here a number of years ago and nothing has changed, except that it is older and a little more run down. As a fort, it might have been quite impressive, but that day was long in the past.

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See 17 more reviews by David V for Stone Town
Cape Town Central, South Africa
Senior Contributor
28 reviews 28 reviews
13 attraction reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed April 21, 2013

There is not much to see here, we made a brief stop during our walking tour. Our tour guide gave us the history behind the it fort, which made it somewhat more interesting.

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See 5 more reviews by Linda M for Stone Town
Tianjin, China
Top Contributor
463 reviews 463 reviews
278 attraction reviews
Reviews in 104 cities Reviews in 104 cities
350 helpful votes 350 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed March 16, 2013

As you approach this fort you will ask yourself...."That's it?" This is because the fort itself is located in the dense town of Zanzibar and not as the open space it may be perceived by photos. The fort by current construction for a for is small but was a decent size when it was built. I traveled with a guide... More

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See 2 more reviews by pilotss2001 for Stone Town
Jerusalem
Top Contributor
80 reviews 80 reviews
69 attraction reviews
Reviews in 34 cities Reviews in 34 cities
70 helpful votes 70 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed February 17, 2013

The Portuguese people were incredible brave and adventurous; they left their seal even in Stone Town.

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See 5 more reviews by Miriam d for Stone Town
Kampala, Uganda
Top Contributor
310 reviews 310 reviews
124 attraction reviews
Reviews in 84 cities Reviews in 84 cities
109 helpful votes 109 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed February 17, 2013

You can't really not go, but the empty fort is just an empty ruin with imposing walls. Also the venue for the yearly Sauti za Busara festival.

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See 4 more reviews by MastaBaba for Stone Town
Harbin
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
14 attraction reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed February 15, 2013

In the way of House of Wonders, Sultan's Palace, etc. Nothing to see, poor conditions but it's free of charge. Take a look and take some photos.

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See 8 more reviews by YuriCapi for Stone Town
Hong Kong, China
Senior Contributor
34 reviews 34 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed January 29, 2013

Just don't expect too much from the fort - its pretty small. The old stone walls are still imposing and very striking, and the amphitheater inside is a great setting, but there really isn't too much else to it. Inside is now full of arts and crafts shops aimed at the tourists, and a quick walk through can have you... More

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See 4 more reviews by voyageindesign for Stone Town

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