House of Wonders (Beit-al-Ajaib)

The National Museum of History & Culture — the first building in Zanzibar with electric light and a lift.

Built in 1883 as a ceremonial palace for Sultan Barghash, this square, many-storeyed building surrounded by tiers of pillars and balconies was so modern that people called it the House of Wonders. It was damaged in 1896 during the Shortest War in History, which lasted only 40 minutes. Its exhibits cover the dhow culture of the Indian Ocean and Swahili civilisation, including a life-size mtepe sewn together with coconut fibre rather than nails.

The building is currently closed for major repair.