Fort Jesus in Kenya is a fort built by the Portuguese in the Old Town of Mombasa at the end of the 16th century. The current museum was used as a defensive block and protected the Portuguese of Kenya’s east coast. The fort served as a barrack for Portuguese troops and was later converted into a prison when the British defender was announced. This fort is now an important historical site in Kenya managed by the National Museums Association of Kenya. The museum is also registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fort jesus museum Mombasa symbolizes the city’s history and is the most visited tourist attraction site in Kenya. This is the best preserved evidence of outstanding military fortifications during the 16th century. The fort is spread over an area of 2.36 hectares and consists of a moat and surrounding area.
About Fort Jesus Museum
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If you are wondering in which century Fort Jesus was built? It was built by Portuguese soldiers during the latter part of the 16th century (1539 – 1596). The city of Mombasa was at that time the trade center and gateway to India, thus the fort was built to protect the city from any outside influence. The fort is one of the most visited places in Kenya at the present time.
The fort stands on the banks of Mombasa and speaks of a historical time when the Portuguese ruled the trading routes of the Indian Ocean. The location of the fort was such that it enabled the troops to see any ship that approached the harbor. The fort also tells the story of a horrific past when slaves were tortured under Portuguese rules and starved as well as from diseases. During that time, slaves were shipped through the port of Mombasa to the Persian Gulf and Arabia.
The 16th century was a time when cultural, commercial and political forces were budding and the Portuguese played an important role in building a fort in the region. Fort Jesus was following Italian architectural styles and you can see significant Renaissance style architecture in the fort.
Once the Portuguese started establishing themselves in the fort, it became the subject of battle. From 1698 to 1895, the fort was captured and occupied several times after the fort was changed between several rulers, including the Omani Arabs, who then went under British control and were then jailed. The country’s slaves were kept in torture chambers and chambers in the prison of the fort. Cannons were also built to protect the castle from invaders. Once again when the Portuguese captured the fort, it was renewed several times.
The area became a national park in 1858 and later in 2011, the fort was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and marked as one of the most massive structures dating back to the 16th century.
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Fort jesus architecture
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Fort Jesus is a symbol of the Portuguese’s immense architectural expertise and this colonial era fort is a wonderful example of Renaissance military architecture. When viewed from above, this fort resembles the shape of a human being, the main part of which points towards the ocean. The fort is an interesting fusion of colonial and indigenous architectural styles. Renaissance military architecture is beautifully depicted using local coral and limestone with a fort built from local techniques.
The fort was designed by Giovanni Battista Kerati, an Italian architect. During the 300 years of its formation, the fort has changed hands several times and you can also see Arab and British influences on the architecture of the fort.
The original walls of the fort were designed in such a way that it could withstand attacks of cannon shells and were 5o feet high. Later when the Omanis conquered the fort the height of the wall was another 9 feet, which excluded not only the invaders but also the people inside the fort.
Currently, the fort is a mixture of African, European and Middle-Eastern construction styles. The ramparts of the fort provide a beautiful view of the city’s harbor and the rooms of the fort are now home to a museum which speaks of the history of the fort and the city of Mombasa.
Places to visit in Fort Jesus Museum
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Fort Jesus is now open as a museum and people can visit the museum to explore the small island and see some historical structures in Mombasa, including the Omba House, which used to be the residence of the former Governor Sultan . African coast. Inside Fort Jesus, you can see an exhibition of artifacts obtained from the excavations of Fort Jesus, Manda, Gede ruins, and Ungwana. Other important places you should explore,
- There is a water tank here, which was dumped by the Portuguese into the water and 76 feet deep well. Passing through the museum, you can also see many artifacts, ceramics and pottery from the time when Mombasa used to be a major trading center.
- There is a Swahili cultural center where Kenyan youth were trained in traditional Swahili arts and crafts, training was also given on business management to enable the youth to learn the skills of self-employment.
- The butterfly exhibit recently began and a live butterfly exhibition was shown, allowing you to learn more about biodiversity among butterflies in Mombasa and their connections to local communities.
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Fort Jesus as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
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Fort Jesus was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for several reasons. The fort was constructed during a time when cultural, political and commercial globalization was budding. The monumental structure of the monument with the mark of many modifications, the exchange of many cultural values. The fort has also served as a major control point of trade through the Indian Ocean basin.
The fort is a great example of a unique type of fortification as a result of military innovations between the 15th and 16th centuries. The layout and form of this structure are ideal reflections of Renaissance architecture with geometric harmony. Although the fort has gone through many renovations, it has been able to maintain its original layout.
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Fort jesus timing and entry fee
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As the museum is one of the most visited places in Kenya and is very popular among tourists, it is open from 8 am to 6 pm. To visit the museum you will have to pay a fixed fee. The Fort Jesus entrance fee is 1200 KES for non-resident adults, 600 KES for non-resident children, 400 for East African adults, 200 for East African children, 200 for Kenyan civilian adults and 100 KES for Kenyan civilian children.
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How to reach Fort Jesus Museum?
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The bus route is the best way to reach the Fort Jesus Museum in Africa. There are several bus routes that will take you to the fort. There are three important bust stations, from where you can board a bus that will take you directly to Fort Jesus. To reach the museum board a bus from Market Bus Stop or Kanisani Bus Stop. You can also reach the fort by train. Take a train from Nairobi train station to Mombasa and from there you can easily reach the museum using any public transport.
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Here you have to know about Fort Jesus Museum. This colonial monument exemplifies the history of the city of Mombasa and a period of military innovation. Visit the museum on your visit to Kenya and get to know the history of that place closely.
