Fort Jesus: A place to visit when you are in Mombasa

"There are torture rooms and prison cells inside the Fort where slaves were kept before they were sold or exchanged with other commodities"

Built in 1593 by the Portuguese and designed by the Italian architect, Cairati in the 16th century, Fort Jesus is considered one of the popular tourist attractions in Kenya to visit. Located along the coastline of the Indian Ocean near Old Town, the Fort became the center of a struggle for the control of the coast between the Shiraz Arabs and the Portuguese army.

It is said the fort changed ownership about nine times between 1631 and 1875 before the British took it over. So, why should you visit the fort? There are numerous reasons. First, there is a museum inside the Fort that showcases many artifacts from the time when Mombasa acted as a transition point for the slave trade.

Second, there are torture rooms and prison cells inside the Fort where slaves were kept before they were sold or exchanged with other commodities. Third, there are defensive weapons, such as cannons and arsenals that were used to defend the Fort from invaders. Fourth, there is a ruined Omani house that was built in the late 18th-century housing Oman jewelry.

The Fort opens its doors for touring in the morning till evening. For those tourists who do not understand English, there are local tour guides who are fluent in other languages, such as Portuguese, French, and German.

Comments

Nyama Choma Recipe

Preparing Nyama Choma Nyama choma is roasted meat and is extremely popular because of the availability of cheap meat in the country. It is usually served in adult parties with beer. Ingredients 1. Salt and pepper to taste 2. 3 pounds beef short ribs Steps to follow Start by seasoning the ribs with salt and pepper. Get a grill with charcoal or gas over medium high heat and grill for 1 hour. If you are not comfortable with the grill, try using the oven as an alternative and live it there at about 300 F for one and a half hours. The meat should be ready, just use your good judgment. Serve with Ugali

Pilau Recipe

Pilau Recipe Preparing Pilau Pilau rice is mainly an Indian dish that is served with any kind of stew especially curry or beef carbonate. Ingredients 1. 250g grain rice 2. 150 g cashew nuts 3. 3 table spoon vegetable oil 4. 4 cloves 5. 2 cardamom pods 6. Cinnamon stick 7. 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 8. 120g raisins 9. 1 teaspoon turmeric powder 10. Salt 11. 1 Coriander for garnish 12. 1 onion for garnish 13. Knife 14. Small pot 15. Small pot with lid 16. Small frying pan 17. Wooden spoon Steps to follow Wash and drain the rice to get rid of the starch. Heat three table spoons of oil over high heat in the cooking pot. Add the cashew nuts, cloves, cardamom pods, cumin seeds and cinnamon. Maintain high heat and fry for two minutes. Add shallots and fry for two more minutes and the shallots should turn translucent. Add the raisins, salt, and turmeric, stirring for a few minutes. Add the rice and two cups of very hot water to the seasoning...

SOS Children’s Villages Kenya

SOS Children's Villages History SOS Children's Village Association Kenya was founded in 1971. Kenya was one of the first African countries in which SOS Kinderdorf International became active. Its main aim help reduce the ever increasing number of orphaned and neglected children in the country that was not receiving support from the state. After it was founded one year later the construction of the first Kenyan SOS Children's Village started in Buru Buru, a suburb of Nairobi. SOS Children's Village facilities have been built in Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa, in Eldoret and in Meru over the years. Programmes SOS Children's Village helps in several ways, these are: SOS Children's Villages - Family Based Care; SOS Family Strengthening Programmes; SOS Youth Facilities; SOS Kindergartens; SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools; SOS Vocational Training Centres; SOS Social Centres; SOS Medical Centres; SOS Emergency Relief Programmes. Support The SOS Chi...

Kenya Knowledge

Search This Blog