Page 30 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 1

AFRICA’S MONUMENTS

Soldiers barrack’s area overlooking the
indian ocean

FORT JESUS MUSEUM

Mombasa, Kenya

Join Chioma Phillips and the Msingi Afrika Magazine team on a tour of
Fort Jesus Museum, Mombasa, Kenya. Built in the 15th century,
Fort Jesus remains one of the most important monuments in Africa.
Situated on the coastal town of old Mombasa, it boasts of lots of tourists annually.
A beautiful site attraction with rich history and has also become a UNESCO world heritage site.
PHOTOS: aduaaya.com
THE FORT OF JESUS
One of the most outstanding examples of Portuguese military
architecture... designed by an Italian, the story of Fort Jesus,
Mombasa, has been told by many and has been told many times
over. Since I was a child, I have visited this old giant which has bravely
withstood the trials of time to tell a tale of courage, beauty and
sacrifice. The Fort is the last remaining structure of the Portuguese
age, all the rest along Mombasa’s coast, lie in ruins, while the Fort
still stands strong. Now a Museum, with UNESCO World Heritage
Site status(coupled with the construction of a protective wall
being built by the waters edge to prevent the structure from being
destroyed by the ocean’s shifting tides and pounding waves), Fort
Jesus stands as a testament to, not so much the ingenuity of man,
as it does to the absolute sovereignty and wisdom of God. Fort
Jesus or in my own words, the fortress of Jesus, is an imposing
ancient architectural masterpiece, a magnificent historical
reminder of the beauty of Africa. As an ancient military fortress
which guarded the very eastern gate of Africa, it’s not unusual for
visitors to be welcomed at the fortress gate by two powerful black
canon guns, which I am sure in the days of their action, strucked
fear and awe in the hearts of both friends and enemies.

Building the Fortress
Passage of the Arches The Portuguese were the first people to have major maritime