The Portuguese Fort of Zanzibar: Stone Town's Forgotten Fortress

This episode digs into the Portuguese presence on Zanzibar, focusing on the Fort of São José, built in the late 16th century on the site of modern Stone Town. We explore how the Portuguese used the fort to control the clove and slave trades, and how it fell to the Omani in 1698 after a siege. We also discuss the fort's later life as a prison and its eventual demolition in the 19th century. Along the way, we uncover the rivalry between the Portuguese and Omani for Indian Ocean dominance, and the role of local Swahili leaders. Tune in for a forgotten chapter of Zanzibar's history. #PortugueseFort #Zanzibar #StoneTown #FortSOJos #Omani #SwahiliCoast #CloveTrade #SlaveTrade #IndianOcean #1698Siege #History #FexingoHistory #ColonialFortress #Sultanate #Mombasa #Pemba #Unguja #AlBusaid #SpiceIslands #OmaniEmpire Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo