A magnificent piece of architecture built primarily for security
purposes by the Portuguese in the pre-colonial era, Fort Jesus stands
strong to this date.
The fort, built on a coral ridge at the entrance of a coastal harbor, was designed by an Italian Architect and Engineer.
The architecture of the fort represents the rough outline of a person lying on their back, with the head towards the sea. The height of the walls is 18 meters. The original Portuguese fort had a height of 15 meters, but the much taller Oman Arabs added 3 metres upon capturing the fort.
The fort combines Portuguese, Arab, and British elements; these being the major powers that held it at different times in history. The Portuguese and British presence is preserved in the presence of their respective cannons.
It was built to secure the Portuguese living in the East Coast of Africa that had a long history of hostilities of the interested parties that used to live in Mombasa.
Fort Jesus is thought to be the fort that has experienced the most turbulence in all of Africa.
Between 1631 and 1875 the fort was won and lost nine times by the nations contesting control of Kenya.
The Port was attacked on numerous occasions but stood firm.
Between 1837 and 1895, the Fort was used as barracks for the soldiers. When the British protectorate was proclaimed on the 1st of July 1895, the Fort was converted into a prison. The huts were removed and cells were built. On the 24th October 1958, Fort Jesus was declared a National Park in the custody of the Trustees of the Kenya National Parks. Excavation was carried out and the Fort became a Museum in 1962. The Fort is now an important historical landmark in the East African region.
Some of the historical structures still standing in the fort include Oman House, which was the house for Sultan who governed the East African coast. Others are an open water cistern by the Portuguese for harvesting rain water, and a 76-foot deep well sunk by the Arabs, but whose water was too salty to be used for anything but washing.
The fort was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2011.
The fort, built on a coral ridge at the entrance of a coastal harbor, was designed by an Italian Architect and Engineer.
The architecture of the fort represents the rough outline of a person lying on their back, with the head towards the sea. The height of the walls is 18 meters. The original Portuguese fort had a height of 15 meters, but the much taller Oman Arabs added 3 metres upon capturing the fort.
The fort combines Portuguese, Arab, and British elements; these being the major powers that held it at different times in history. The Portuguese and British presence is preserved in the presence of their respective cannons.
It was built to secure the Portuguese living in the East Coast of Africa that had a long history of hostilities of the interested parties that used to live in Mombasa.
Fort Jesus is thought to be the fort that has experienced the most turbulence in all of Africa.
Between 1631 and 1875 the fort was won and lost nine times by the nations contesting control of Kenya.
The Port was attacked on numerous occasions but stood firm.
Between 1837 and 1895, the Fort was used as barracks for the soldiers. When the British protectorate was proclaimed on the 1st of July 1895, the Fort was converted into a prison. The huts were removed and cells were built. On the 24th October 1958, Fort Jesus was declared a National Park in the custody of the Trustees of the Kenya National Parks. Excavation was carried out and the Fort became a Museum in 1962. The Fort is now an important historical landmark in the East African region.
Some of the historical structures still standing in the fort include Oman House, which was the house for Sultan who governed the East African coast. Others are an open water cistern by the Portuguese for harvesting rain water, and a 76-foot deep well sunk by the Arabs, but whose water was too salty to be used for anything but washing.
The fort was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2011.
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