Bagamoyo

　　Attractions Introduction            The town of Bagamoyo. Bagamoyo is a historic and cultural city in Tanzania. The name "Bagamoyo" literally means "lay down the burden of your heart" or "place where one’s hopes are lost." The town preserves numerous historical sites: the ruins of Kaole, remnants from before the 13th century left by Arabs, featuring Islamic architectural styles and said to be the earliest Muslim church in East Africa. The Catholic Church built in 1868 is the oldest in East and Central Africa. Other notable structures include the castle of the German governor during the colonial period and the prison where enslaved Africans were held.

　　     Modern Tanzanian history originated in Bagamoyo. It was a hub for the slave trade in East Africa. Large numbers of African slaves were transported overland from the interior of East Africa by Arab and Western slave traders to this location, awaiting shipment to Arabic countries and the Americas. Hence, Bagamoyo is also known as the "town of broken hearts."

　　     In the late 19th century, with the development of maritime transport, Bagamoyo's harbor, being too small, could no longer meet the demands of larger-scale shipping. To expand sea trade, in 1867, Sultan Seyyid Majid of Zanzibar decided to find a better port on the Tanzanian mainland. Eventually, he chose the excellent harbor of Mzizima, located 74 kilometers from Bagamoyo (now known as Dar es Salaam), and began urban development. With the rise of Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo became increasingly desolate.

　　     To preserve the ancient city of Bagamoyo and develop tourism, the Tanzanian government is currently undertaking restoration work on the town with support from European countries.

　　 

　　 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania