Ruines de Kilwa Kisiwani et de Songo Mnara

Photo : Karalyn Monteil (CC BY-SA 3.0 igo)

Located on the islands of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara off the coast of Tanzania, these ruins represent significant remains of medieval Swahili civilization that flourished along the East African coast. The site comprises substantial stone structures including mosques, palaces, and fortifications that date primarily to the 13th-15th centuries, a period when Kilwa served as a major hub of Indian Ocean trade networks. The architectural remains demonstrate the cultural synthesis characteristic of Swahili towns, blending Islamic, African, and Arab influences in their design and construction. Kilwa Kisiwani functioned as an important trading center controlling gold commerce from the interior, while Songo Mnara represents a later settlement established around the 15th century. The ruins are largely constructed from coral stone and include the Great Mosque, numerous residential compounds, and defensive structures that provide evidence of the region's historical importance and urban development. These archaeological remains document the development and decline of major medieval trading cities on the East African coast.