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| Mozambique: What to see | ||
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| Ilha
de Moçambique / Mozambique Island Overview Situated in the coastal province of Nampula the island is 175 km from the town of Nampula. The island is only 2.5 km long, 0,6 km wide at its widest point, and is only 3 km from the mainland. Its convenient position being more protected from monsoons and the secure refuge and port, made Mozambique Island an ideal settlement site. The small island is actually considered a "miniature Mozambique" since it includes all the major cultural and linguistic influences that moulded the Mozambique of this day. It is also referred to as the ponto de encontro de civilizaçoes (the meeting point of civilizations). History Although the island was visited by Arabs, people from Madagascar, Persians, and other East Africans, it was in fact the Portuguese in 1507 that occupied the island and built a small fort. They left behind fifteen men to protect their trading post. Ilha de Moçambique became the island capital of the colony of Portuguese East Africa. Although the Dutch besieged the island between 1607 and 1608 it reverted to Portuguese control. The island became a town in 1763 and was subsequently renamed a city by Portuguese authorities in 1810. At this time the colony existed basically on the export of slaves. The nineteenth century brought the abolition of slavery resulting in permanent settlement of African people on the island being permitted. In 1886 Lourenço Marques (now Maputo) became the capital city of Mozambique. In 1992 the Bairro Museu section of Mozambique Island, (in the north), was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This encompasses two thirds of the surface area of the island. Attractions Most of the interesting features of the island are in the north of the island - in the south the people are crowded into the poorer suburbs. The Portuguese built the Fortress of San Sebastian in the north during the 16th century, and at the time it was the largest structure in central and southern Africa. Here 400 cannons were pointed outwards at the Indian Ocean and not even the Dutch in 1607 and 1608 managed to seize the fort. Centred around a spring this was the only reliable source of drinking water on the island. Guided tours are offered of the Fort. North of the fort at the tip of the island is the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte. This is the oldest standing building in the southern hemisphere constructed in 1522. The Palace and Chapel of Sao Paulo is the former Governor's residence dating from the 1700's and is situated close to the port and jetty. In good condition most of this building is now a museum. The Church of the Misercordia, the Museum of Sacred Art and the Hindu Temple are also worth seeing. Popular beaches on the mainland are Praia de Fern‹o Veloso that is located near Nacala 80km north of Mozambique Island, and Praia das Chocas near the island. Beaches on the island are regarded by some as the toilet, and thus are not a feature worth exploring. Amigos de Ilha (Friends of the Island) is a cultural and conservational organization that promotes the island as a living monument to the cultural heritage of Mozambique. The office is adjacent to the newly restored Banco de Moçambique building. When to go May to August the cooler, drier months when temperatures may drop to below 20 C (68 F) at night. January may often bring 250mm of rain while August is usually completely dry. Averages temperatures are in the high 30's C (100 F) from November to March and it's very humid. Accommodation A 300 year old guesthouse called Casa Branca is rated as one of the best on the island while the Omuhi'piti is the only hotel on the island and only recently opened. How to get there Over the bridge A single lane toll bridge of 3.5 km links the southern point of the Island to the mainland. By boat Small boats sail into a sheltered bay on the mainland side of the island. From Angoche, Mogincual and Nacala dhows sail to Ilha de Moçambique. By air The nearest landing strip is 5 km away at Lumbo. Buses travel directly to Ilha from Nampula. TOP |
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