Picture of Grave at Kaole ruins (Kaole, Tanzania)

One of the graves at Kaole ruins

Send image of Grave at Kaole ruins as a free postcard
Download picture of Grave at Kaole ruins
Purchase Grave at Kaole ruins (Tanzania)

Once an important port and trading post on the Indian Ocean, Kaole turned into ruins when the town was abandoned. What remains now are some fascinating ruins of two mosques and graves - and an old baobab tree.
Right next to the mosque is a well, once used for ablutions, which still contains water. According to some, the water of this well is capable of working miracles, and they would wash themselves in it. Despite the closeness to the ocean, the water is supposed to be fresh. After the mosque, I ventured into the cemetery next to it, with typical graves made of coral stone. Some of the graves have pillars denoting an important person being entombed. Then, there is a double grave for a couple who drowned at sea on the same day, and were buried together in this Love grave. Probably most remarkably of all is the Sharrifa grave, resting place of a girl claimed to be direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed. It is interesting to wander around the cemetery and note details like Arabic inscriptions at some of them. From here, you can have a look at what once used to be the port - but now is a mangrove forest. On the other side, you can see a giant baobab tree, some 500 years old, and from here, walk on to more graves and the ruins of a 15th century mosque of which almost nothing is left.
Read more about: Kaole Ruins

Tags for this picture:
| | | |

Africa Asia blue yellow clouds rain grave cremation grey orange Kaole Asmara Kaole Ruins Monte Rosa skiing muslem buddhist obelisk mausoleum Tanzania Brazil white gold

Around the World in 80 Clicks - All rights reserved - www.traveladventures.org - 1999-2009 Share your comments