Excursion from Diani Beach to Fort Jesus Mombasa
Mombasa has always been the most important town on the East African coast for about 15 centuries. It’s location , climate and natural harbour made Mombasa a place where wars for control were fought between the Arabs, Portuguese and English.In 1593 when the Portuguese had taken Mombasa from the Arabs, King Philip II of Spain then ruler of the joint Pohttp://dianilife.comrtuguese and Spanish Kingdoms expressly ordered a Port to be built.
This port was the headquarter of Portuguese interests and was meant to guard the Old Port of Mombasa, Kenya from the Arabs. Interestingly, the port was built in the shape of a man.
The Portuguese were able to hold onto the port for 3 centuries during which they survived countless skirmishes with the Omani Arabs. As the Portuguese Empire weakened, Seif Bin Sultan Al-Yaruby led Oman land and naval forces to a 2 year siege of Fort Jesus in 1696. The port was eventually captured in 1698. The port changed hands many times after that until 1895 when the British turned it into a government prison.In 1960 it was declared a national monument and has been restored and maintained by the National Museums of Kenya.
An excursion to Fort Jesus is a walk down the history of Kenya’s coastal region as the various influences of the European, Arab and African rulers who reigned are still visible. Take our guided tour with a well versed guide who will show you around and make your time at Fort Jesus a complete pleasure.
Barrel of a 600yr old Canon Overlooking old Mombasa port Inside Fort Jesus
Fort Jesus is just a 40 minutes drive away from Diani and one can also decide to take an tour of Mombasa’s old town and walk through the narrow streets and experience smells, sounds and sights of a town built centuries ago.
Rates for this excursion are $ 60 – GPB 35 – EURO 50.
