World Heritage Sites in Mombasa
Fort Jesus: Where History Stands Guard!
Fort Jesus, Mombasa’s timeless treasure, was duly inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, as one of the most outstanding and well preserved examples of a 16th century Portuguese military fortification and a landmark in the history of this type of construction. Before the 16th century, Swahili towns remained more or less independent of Portugal’s control and under the government of their native Shirazi ruling families. However, owing to Portugal’s disruptive commercial policy, the 16th century was a period of fast decline for Shirazi era. During the second half of the century a new oceanic power, Turkey, also made two brief appearances on the Swahili Coast and succeeded in inciting local revolts against the Portuguese.
After defeating the Turks, the Portuguese decided to consolidate their power in East Africa by keeping a permanent garrison in order to ensure continued control on their dominions. The construction of Fort Jesus began in 1593 to the designs of Jao Batista Cairato, an Italian architect in the employ of Portugal in India: His last overseas work. It is a heavily fortified building with elaborate outworks, moats and salients to counter the effectiveness and accuracy of projectiles. The salients are layed that any bastion could come to the aid of the other by means of cross fire. Its plan, approved by King Felipe II, had a central court with bastions at all its corners. Gunports and turrets were put to control entering ships and main street.
Kenya is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites that reflect her rich cultural heritage and diverse natural landscapes; classified as 3 natural sites and 5 cultural sites, collectively embodying valuable heritage and fantastic scenery. These sites are among the priceless assets, not only for Kenya, but of humanity as a whole.
Index of UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kenya
Kilifi County - Gede Ruins, Kwale & Kilifi County - Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forest, Lamu County - Lamu Old Town, Meru County - Mount Kenya National Park, Migori County - Thimlich Ohinga Cultural Landscape, Mombasa County - Fort Jesus, Nakuru County - Kenya's Lake System in the Rift Valley, Turkana County - Lake Turkana National Parks
Related Pages: Kenya's Choices On The Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Site
outlook
Well-famous for its rich Swahili culture, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife – acclaimed as one of the top destinations in Kenya – Mombasa County is home to Mombasa City, Kenya’s second-largest city and a primary port town that has been a key trade center for centuries. Mombasa County is more than just beaches—it’s a cultural melting pot with history, adventure, and guaranteed jambos.
You Are Here: Fort Jesus Heritage Site
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Explore Destinations in Fort Jesus Heritage Site
A Guide to Mombasa County
A Summa Digest of Mombasa
About Mombasa Way Back When
80 Destinations in Mombasa County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north then east - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Arab Rifle's Monument, Buli Monument, Fort Jesus Curio Shop, Camel Joint, Old Town Mombasa, Fort Jesus Museum I World Heritage Site, Mombasa Butterfly House, Santo Antonio de Tanna, Swahili Cultural Center, Sanaa Gallery, Old Port Mombasa, Leven House I Steps, Forodhani Restaurant, The Mandhry Mosque, Burhani Mosque, Tulia Backpackers, Bahdala Mosque, Mazrui Cemetery, Old Law Courts, Treasury Square, Africa Hotel, Kizingo BBQ, St. Joseph's Fort, Ras Serani Lighthouse, Kizingo War Camp, Mombasa Golf Club, Mama Ngina Waterfront Park, Shelly Beach, The Likoni Floating Bridge, Mbaraki Creek, Mombasa Yatch Club, Mbaraki Pillar, The Mombasa Mbaraki Cemetery, The Little Theatre Club, Kilindini Harbour, The Mombasa Memorial Church, The Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral, Lord Shiva Temple, The Old Mombasa Railway Station, Railways Park, Mombasa African Memorial, Mombasa’s Tusks, Fort Makupa, Kibarani Recreation Park, Akamba Handicraft Shop, Manyimbo War Cemetery, Tudor Water Sports Marina, Nyali Bridge, ACK Emmanuel, The Kengeleni Monument, Bahari Beach Resort, Tamarind Dhow Cruise, Krapf Memorial Heritage Park, Kenyatta Public Beach, Bombolulu Workshop, Haller Park, Mombasa Butterfly Pavilion, Bamburi Rifle Range, Mombasa Go-Kart, Suli Suli Fishing, Nguuni Nature Sanctuary, Mamba Village, Nyali Golf & Country Club, Wild Waters, Nyali Shopping Mall, Mombasa Marine Park I Reserve, Ngomongo Village, Shimo la Tewa Site, The Moorings, La Marina Restaurant
Know More About Mombasa County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Mombasa County can be split into 3 zones: 1. Coastal plain, covering parts the Island; 2. The hilly areas rising gently from 45 ms to 132 ms asl in the west; and 3. The Indian Ocean, creeks and the shoreline.
Mombasa County is generally warm and humid. A tropical wet and dry climate influenced by warm sea breezes year-round. May is generally the wettest month, then April and June. March is the hottest, peaking at 33oC, with average temperatures across the year rarely falling below 24oC; July and August.
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