Lamu Old Town World Heritage Site

Official name
Lamu Old Town | UNESCO
Country
Kenya | Map
Continent
Africa
Location
Coast Province, Lamu District
-2.2844° Lat, 40.8525° Lon | Map
Code
1055
Time Zone
Africa/Nairobi (EAT, +0300)
Current Time
Category
Cultural
Description
Inscribed 2001. Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, retaining its traditional functions. Built in coral stone and mangrove timber, the town is characterized by the simplicity of structural forms enriched by such features as inner courtyards, verandas, and elaborately carved wooden doors. Lamu has hosted major Muslim religious festivals since the 19th century, and has become a significant centre for the study of Islamic and Swahili cultures.