Beit el Ajaib (House of Wonders)

Overview

About Beit el Ajaib (House of Wonders)

Beit el Ajaib, meaning House of Wonders in Swahili, was built in 1883 as a ceremonial palace for Sultan Barghash bin Said and was the first building in East Africa to have electricity and an elevator. The imposing seafront structure features ornate carved doors, wide verandahs, and a large central clock tower. It houses the Museum of History and Culture of Zanzibar and the Swahili Coast.

What to Expect

Highlights

• 01 First building in East Africa with electricity and elevator
• 02 1883 Sultan ceremonial palace
• 03 iconic seafront Stone Town landmark
• 04 ornate Zanzibari carved door architecture
• 05 Museum of History and Culture
• 06 symbol of Zanzibar Omani era