Travels around the world 2009-2024
Exploring our beautiful planet

Ilha de Moçambique

August 8, 2015  —  Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique

Mozambique Island is a World heritage site as selected by UNESCO. It's a small island with 3 km in length and 500 metres in width. This island has a history dating from several centuries.

The oldest constructions date back to the time of the Arab traders that came for ivory and slaves. Next, it was colonized by the Portuguese who constructed remarkable churches and fortresses. Nowadays, the Africans have reclaimed their island and it's a destination very popular with visitors.

Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
A tomb dating from 1293?
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Vasco de Gamma.
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
A 3.5 km bridge links the island to the continent.
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Fortress-Church of Santo António

This fortress-church built by the Portuguese dates from at least 1754.

Fortress-Church of Santo António - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress-Church of Santo António - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
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Palace of the governor

This palace, built in 1619, was used as a college by the Jesuits until 1759. In 1761, the building became the place of the governor until 1898. It is now a museum.

Inside the palace is very nice with its old furniture... However, photos are not allowed.

Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
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The old hospital

Old hospital built in the years 1700 by the Portuguese.

The Old Hospital - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
The Old Hospital - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
The Old Hospital - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
The Old Hospital - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
The Old Hospital - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
The Old Hospital - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
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Island-fortress of São Lourenço

Portuguese fortress dating from the years 1600.

Island-Fortress of São Lourenço - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
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Fortress of São Sebastião

Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique

This fortress is probably the most impressive of all Africa. With its twenty metres high walls, it was constructed between 1558 and 1620. The stones used for its construction have been shipped from Lisbon, in Portugal.

Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Cannons dating from 1823.
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
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Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Baluarte

The chapel of Our Lady of the Ramparts was built in 1522.

Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Baluarte - Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Baluarte - Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Baluarte - Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Baluarte - Fortress de São Sebastião - Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
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A sad truth

As you may have noticed, the buildings are falling apart. It seems that people and the government are not making any maintenance to preserve this patrimonial site. Apart from a few buildings, everything seems to be abandoned. In which state will all those constructions be in a few decades?

In addition to an obvious lack of maintenance, people get rid of their trash by throwing them directly on the beach. Moreover, most of them go to the toilet directly on the beach at low tides or in the rocks on the shore. Be careful where you walk...

Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
There are two people relieving themselves (a #2) on this photo.
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
There is a lot of trash on the beach and in the village.
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On the continent facing the island

There is no camping on the island. Thus, I camped directly in front of the island near the bridge. The view was awesome.

Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
The bridge and the island are visible in the distance.
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique - Mozambique
The bridge and the island are visible in the distance.