The House of Wonders or Palace of Wonders is a landmark building in Stone Town, Zanzibar. It is the largest and tallest building of Stone Town and occupies a prominent place facing the Forodhani Gardens on the old towns seafront, in Mizingani Road. It is located between the Old Fort and the Palace Museum.

One of the better maintained historical buildings. Unfortunately most other buildings in this Unesco world heritage site are in an appalling condition.

If you are visiting Zanzibar, Beit Al Ajaib or the House of Wonders is a Must to visit which will take you through the time travel. Zanzibar authorities preserved the place very nicely. The terrace overlooking the sea is simply refreshing and shall make you melancholy.

It is one of six palaces built by Barghash bin Said, second Sultan of Zanzibar, and it is said to be located on the site of the 17th-century palace of Zanzibari queen Fatuma.[1] The House of Wonders currently houses the Museum of History and Culture of Zanzibar and the Swahili Coast.

The House of Wonders has unfortunately seen better days it is now in desperate need of repair and lightbulbs. Many exhibits and some of the upper corridors are very poorly lit. Its still worth a visit if only for the experience of pushing open the biggest set of doors youll ever step through. Also right outside is a guy selling cold drinks who I bargained the hire of his bicycle for $5 for an hour, an excellent way to look around the town.

|The House of Wonders was once the most modern building in East Africa—it was the first building to have electricity and an elevator—and it mixes elements of European style and Zanzibari tradition by including cast iron columns, elaborate door carvings, coral rag, open central courtyards, and mangrove ceilings that together form a truly unique architectural achievement. Just next to it is the Palace Museum, built by the second sultan of Zanzibar in 1883, which is an opulent palace comprised of beautiful marble flooring, coral stone walls, and silver decorations. The palace was built in the Omani style as an extravagant Arab mansion, and holds many relics that offer a rare glimpse of a past era. The House of Wonders and Palace Museum have been converted into popular cultural destinations; the House of Wonders presents exhibitions dedicated to Swahili culture and the Palace Museum highlights its ties to Zanzibars Omani history. |Location: Unguja Island, Zanzibar city Tanzania.#Tanzania #songosongoisland #fanjove #kilwa #lindi #fanjoveprivateisland #zanzibar #daresalaam #canoneos #5dsr #holiday #traveling #travelphotography #travel #sunset #sunrise #houseofwonder #unguja #ungujaIsland #pembaisland #SaadaniNationalPark #SaadaniSafariLodge

Palace Museum not sure if knows as House of Wonders holds the richest historys of Zanzibar in a political and historical Sense It has well reserved treaties and original painted antiques of the sultans and the queen which were given as gifts by various famous Austrian Artist and have been in place since 1800s till date hence if you planning your trip to the beautiful island of Zanzibar be sure to be able to visit the Palace museum just next to the ferry and can be seen on your entry to stone town via the ferry as well. Has a perfect view of all the four islands next to it,Prison Island being the most famous of all.

History of the All Sultan(King) of Zanzibar Island. History of the House of Wonder itself

Looks interesting, but crushed when we were in old town....

Unfortunately destroyed when we visited. For many years they have waited for funds to be able to restore it, but when they started to do it, one of the sides fell completely down. A shame, because it is known by that name for its beauty and for being a splendid palace built by Barghash bin Said, the second Sultan of Zanzibar, of the Omani dynasty.It was the first building in Zanzibar with electricity, and also the first building in East Africa to have an elevator. Hence they were amazed, but today there is only sorrow ...

CLOSED!!!It was closed, my guess for restoration or forever, not sure.Aside from viewing it from the outside and reading about it, there’s not much to see or do.

The House of Wonders or Palace of Wonders was a landmark building in Stone Town, Zanzibar. It is the largest and tallest building of Stone Town and occupies a prominent place facing the Forodhani Gardens on the old towns seafront, in Mizingani Road. It is located between the Old Fort and the Palace Museum.

It has fallen down while beings repaired an icon of Zanzibar history whereby human development started before New York city. Electricity and house lift was functioning in 18th century.

Amazing museum historical site found in Zanzibar very attractive its located stone town .....love it alot ...

Nice place to visit, currently closed due to maintenance and repair.

The House of Wonders is closed and possibly being restored. The same can be said of the Natural History museum and the nearby art museum. The Palace Museum is a different Palace and is worth a visit. It still has much of the furniture used in the early 20th century. The State House has no access. Hopefully more buildings will be open in the future.

House of wonder is the heart of ZanzibarCome and visit us to see wondeful Island of Zanzibar

House of Wonders is a great historic place!Learnt a lot from our tour guide.However, due to current renovations at the place, the museum has been inaccessible for a long time and so, we couldnt see much inside.

Closed for renovations when I visited quite rundown like most old buildings in Zanzibar.

The building looks nice, although I found it under renovation.

Well its a great place, hugely important and visually stunning historic building in Stone Town. It hosts a highly interesting exhibition and offers a brilliant insight into Zanzibari and Swahili culture.Needs renovation.

Wonderful landmark building in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Largest tallest building in Stone Town, facing the Forodhani Gardens on the old towns seafront, in Mizingani Road. Lies between the Old Fort and the Palace Museum. It is one among the six palaces built by Barghash bin Said, second Sultan of Zanzibar and was built in 1883. First building to have electricity in Zanzibar and an elevator in East Africa. Light house which stood in front the building got destroyed in the Anglo-Zanzibar War of 27 August 1896 causing minor damage to Beit Al Ajaib. Renovation in1897 brought in Clock Tower into the façade of the building. It was a government office, a school and later a museum. After renovation it will shine fully with bygone glory. It is and will be one of Stone Towns major tourist attractions. Good luck.

The house of wonders is the house where the late kings live and plan the strategies and rules the sultan empire of zanzibar.This house was the sultans palace of zanzibar.Visit it to be familiar with the history of zanzibar.

Was sadly closed down due to renovations. Which are very very needed in my eyes. Has lost a lot of its old colonial charm. Zanzibar: Take more care of your historical buildings! Hopefully they will restore it to its original flair.

The House of Wonders or Palace of Wonders (in Arabic: Beit-al-Ajaib, بيت العجايب) is a landmark building in Stone Town, Zanzibar. It is the largest and tallest building of Stone Town and occupies a prominent place facing the Forodhani Gardens on the old towns seafront, in Mizingani Road. It is located between the Old Fort and the Palace Museum (and former Sultans Palace). It is one of six palaces built by Barghash bin Said, second Sultan of Zanzibar, and it is said to be located on the site of the 17th-century palace of Zanzibari queen Fatuma.[1] The House of Wonders currently houses the Museum of History and Culture of Zanzibar and the Swahili Coast.The palace was built in 1883 for Barghash bin Said

Less of a review and more confirmation that as of February 23, 2018 the House of Wonders remained closed. We walked around the exterior (it’s nestled amongst several tourist attractions like Forodhani Garden and Beit el Sahel), which is showing its neglect.

It has to be renovated, museum staffs are so friendly, entrance fee for adults was 6000 TZS about 3 Usd, not a very big place but interesting place and in the city center (Stonetown)

Currently under construction and this may take a while so no one can see anything or go in.

Do not miss the House of Wonders. The museum provides you with good cultural-historical insight of Zanzibar and Stone Town. Beautiful building, spectacular views.

The once grand House of Wonders contains some well written information on the history of stone town. The exhibits for the most part are dusty and neglected, but its all part of the faded charm.

The building is falling apart, we werent allowed to go to the upper levels, dust everywhere, very poor maintenance of the exposition. Felt very sad as the history of the island is worth maintaining. Dont bother

Great view and a good story about it

Don’t waste you time to visit. The building is now severely damaged and closed for visitors.

What a waste of time and money.A huge building with 3 floors but only 1 is used as a museum. There is a wooden dhow (boat) and some display boards that are all missing lightbulbs. No interior lighting at all, and every display is covered in dust and cobwebs.$4 is an absolute ripoff.

Historical building, good to see.

One of the Landmarks in Stone Town. Visible from Forodhani Gardens and next to Old Fort. Zanzibar, Ministry of tourism industry have to step up and renovate the ASAP :( Its very sad to see some of historical site are in the shape.

This is a worthwhile museum to visit. In addition to the history lesson, you also see some good coral stone architecture and get a good view from the top floor.

House of wonders is still under renovation and nobody knows how much is the structure damaged. Hope people should be able to see it sooner.

Has a lot of history to this place. The first building in Africa to host a mechanical lift. Its sad that I havent seen it open for the last few months. Has a very interesting history to this place

It would be such an amazing place of history. Sadly, it is in such a poor state! The back balcony has been broken for a few years and no one seems to care reparing it. What a shame.

Interesting place. Beautiful and mystical.

Wouldve been awesome if there was some maintenance. Historic building, first to have an elevator in East Africa!

The House of Wonders Palace is closed for restorations. The Palace Museum (a different building, nextdoor) is open

Poorly maintained. Not a lot to see, but the building is interesting.

Old and historical building in Zanzibar heritages, located in stone town oposite Forodhani Park.A place where people practice local music.

Very nice place. Shows the great history of Zanzibar.But its really need maintenance and restoration.

The museum is a gem so much to take in and so much to see and the views from the third floor over the forodhani to the sea-marvellous.

Very very amazing the leading tower for sailors to unguja and it was the first building to have an electricity

Heard of it to be a very nice place. But was unable to secure entry as renovation is under way. The cannons look formidable

Ruins, government mistake let to self destruct such a beautiful house.

Currently underconstruction/restoration.

Could be a great museum but it is falling apart. Interesting history and awesome views.

......Even viewed and seen from the Outside only I can only say Its still a Majestic Site & sight to see!.....

The only wonder is that this building doesnt collapse. Otherwise nothing special. Quite filthy surrounding

This attraction is closed for renovation and no one seems to know when the renovation will start, let alone finish!

Good place to hang out , during day & night time . Lots of food stalls

Building looks run down. Im sure that during its heydays it was something impressive to see.

Interesting building but it is covered by scaffolding and it is still closed.

Full of history., Dont forget to visit when you are in Tanzania

One of the best and most important historic places to visit in Zanzibar.

This is a one among the good tourism attraction here in Zanzibar.

One of the Zanzibar landmarks shouldnt miss to this historic building in Stone Town

It is a beautiful historical site that needs serious maintenence.

History of Zanzibar, the state house of sultanate of oman in the year of 1900s

Nice building but you cant enter inside

Sadly the beautiful building is collapsing and the government is doing nothing to preserve it

After some balconies have collapsed the place is now closed for renovations until further notice.

Cool

Twas an awesome experience. Great site to visit

Historical place

House of wonders its current been renovated

Nothing important to see.Be careful about guides.Better check alone.😎😎😎

Work in progress

Only had a chance to take a look from outside. Nothing interesting.

An interesting example of an Arab colonial architecture

It is closed due to some part of the building collapsing - dec 2015

Sad to see it fade away.....once a magnificent site.

Closed for a revamp.... apparently. But no signs anywhere.

Its such a nice place for tourists

House of wonders - First modern house in Zanzibar

Was closed when we tried to visit while in Zanzibar

Wonderful building

Get a bit of history of how previous rulers lived

So many things to learn about Zanzibar

Source of history of zanzibar island

Collapsed

A must visit place in Zanzibar!

Tallest building in Stone Town!!

Disappointed that it is still closed.

The building carries the name

Is good picture

Ok.

Renovation taking place

Worth to pay a visit

Marvelous palace!

Maintain this place ASAP

Awesome

Miss it

Amazing

Awesome