Sights in Mombasa
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Fort Jesus
Mombasa's biggest tourist attraction, Fort Jesus dominates the harbour entrance at the end of Nkrumah Rd. The metre-thick coral walls make it an imposing edifice, despite being partially ruined. The fort was built by the Portuguese in 1593 to enforce their rule over the coastal Swahilis, but they rarely managed to hold onto it for long. It changed hands at least nine times in bloody sieges between 1631 and 1875, finally falling under British control. It houses a museum, built over the former barracks. The exhibits are mostly ceramics, reflecting the variety of cultures that traded along the coast, but include other interesting odds and ends donated from private collection…
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Mombasa Old Town Conservation Society
While Mombasa's Old Town doesn't quite have the medieval charm of Lamu or Zanzibar, it's still an interesting area to wander around. The houses here are characteristic of coastal East African architecture, with ornately carved doors and window frames and fretwork balconies, designed to protect the modesty of the female inhabitants. Sadly, many of these have been destroyed; there is now a preservation order on the remaining doors and balconies, so further losses should hopefully be prevented.
The Mombasa Old Town Conservation Society is encouraging the renovation of many dilapidated buildings
From the outside there's little evidence of what any of these buildings were once …
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Khonzi Mosque
Mombasa has some interesting mosques; non-Muslims are usually not permitted to enter, although you can look from the outside. The dozen or so mosques in the Old Town are the most traditional, while more modern examples in town include the Khonzi Mosque on Digo Rd.
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Old Law Courts Gallery
The old law courts on Nkrumah Rd have been converted into an informal Gallery, with regularly changing displays of local art, Kenyan crafts, school competition pieces and votive objects from various tribal groups.
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Swaminarayan Temple
You'll get a warm reception at the Hindu Swaminarayan Temple, which has some wonderfully ornate painted doors and vivid paintings from Hindu mythology. Remove shoes before entering.
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Jain Temple
Another temple with esoteric design is the Jain Temple. Shoes should be removed before entering this building, and it's worth asking about any other appropriate signs of respect.
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Hare Krishna Temple
For esoteric design, see the Hare Krishna Temple. Shoes should be removed before entering this building, and it's worth asking about any other appropriate signs of respect.
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Holy Ghost Cathedral
The Christian Holy Ghost Cathedral is a very European hunk of neo-Gothic buttressed architecture, with massive fans in the walls to cool its former colonial congregations.
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Lord Shiva Temple
You'll get a warm reception at the Hindu Lord Shiva Temple, which has an interesting sculpture garden. Shoes should be removed before entering this building.
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Mombasa Memorial Cathedral
The Christian Mombasa Memorial Cathedral tries almost too hard to fit in, resembling a mosque with its white walls, arches and cupola dome.
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Sheikh Nurein Islamic Centre
Another interesting Mosque amongst the more traditional mosques of the Old Town is the Sheikh Nurein Islamic Centre opposite Uhuru Gardens.
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Sikh Temple
Another esoterically designed temple is the Sikh Temple. As always, shoes should be removed before entering this building.
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