FORT JESUS MUSEUM

Fort Jesus, a national monument is a testimony to the determination of the Portuguese to control the coast of Kenya and to the tenacity of Mombasa's inhabitants in retaining their identity and culture. Fort Jesus is very well maintained. The fort has barrack rooms where drawings of ships, churches, and figures in armor have been laid, revealing the longing of many Portuguese sailors. The fort even has foundations of a chapel, a storeroom. Fort Jesus was built in 1593.


FORT JESUS MUSEUM - fort jesus in mombasa is historic castle built by portuguese

Fort Jesus museum ' treasures ' the wreck of the ' Santo Antonio de Tanna ‘, which sank in Mombasa harbor in 1697. Fort Jesus museum also has an extensive display of pottery recovered along the coast. Some of these are over 1,000 years old, from as far away as China. The pottery finds are keyed to the ancient settlements and ruins along the coast.

Old Town
"Old Town" is the part of Mombasa that is reminiscent of the days when the Arabs exerted a heavy influence on the town and its culture, and especially in the architecture and language (Kiswahili has a lot of phrases derived from various Arabic dialects). It is well known for its ancient buildings, extravagant art designs and curio shops that sell antique and popular Kenyan souvenirs. Old Town is best seen when explored by foot with an experienced guide, as the streets are too narrow to accommodate a large number of vehicles. The town's inhabitants are mostly of Arab origin whose forefathers once roamed the same streets of the town. Fort Jesus is located just a few steps away from where the town "starts", thus a complete tour of the fort and the "Old Town" can be done in a single day.