Quiloa bird's-eye view of the city of Kilwa, Tanzania (1572) by Georg BraunCyArk
Kilwa Kisiwani was once a massive Swahili port town. It was established in the 8th century and reached its peak from the 12th to the 14th centuries when it was one of the largest settlements in East Africa and an important hub in the Indian Ocean trade route.
Gereza fort, Kilwa KiswaniCyArk
The Gereza fort on the northern tip of the island of Kilwa was originally built by the Portuguese in the 1500s.
Outside the door to Gereza Fort in Kilwa Kisiwani (2018-12) by CyArkCyArk
It was later rebuilt in the 1800s during the Omani period.
Kilwa Kisiwani infographic cliff erosionCyArk
A combination of rising sea levels caused by climate change and the removal of the mangrove forest have resulted in severe erosion at several of the monuments in Kilwa, including the Gereza.
KilwaCyArk
Sea walls and gabions were installed to give the monument better protection.
Tap to explore
Pan around to see how close Gereza is to the ocean.
Taking a photograph on top of Gereza Fort in Kilwa Kisiwani (2018-12) by CyArkCyArk
The monument was digitally documented in 2009 by the Zamani project and in 2018 by CyArk to provide an accurate baseline record of its condition.
