Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)

Built between 1698 and 1701 by the Busaidi Omani Arabs, next to the House of Wonders.

A large building with high, dark brown walls topped by castellated battlements, the Arab Fort was used to defend against the Portuguese and a rival Omani group. It now houses the Zanzibar Cultural Centre; in the inner courtyard a stone amphitheatre hosts music and dance, including Taarab, and there is a tourist information office and gift shop.