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Maputo Fortress
This is one of the city’s best-known monuments. In
terms of its structure, it is like many other Portuguese-
commissioned military outposts in Africa. Built in the
middle of the 19th century, the fort was used vari-
ously by Dutch settlers for carrying on the slave trade
and as a fully fledged place of defence against
pirate marauders. Today, it is put to good use as a
combined military museum-type attraction and exhi-
bition space, complemented by the interior gardens.
Ibo Island
Go catch a boat and venture further South, to Ibo
Island (also referred to as ‘Ilha do Ibo’). A rich his-
tory fills this island where Pirates, Slaves, Ivory, Silver
(Treasure) and colonialism used to co-exist. In actual
fact, the Islands intrigueing history and colonial
architecture that still exists, makes Ibo Island’s Zoned
for World Heritage Status! 3 Bastions (Forts) were
built back in the colonial days in the 15th century to
protect the island from attackers. Lots of cannons
still line the forts tall walls.
For the last 500 years Ibo Island proved to be a pros-
perous and important trading post for the East coast
of Mozambique and Africa. Today, the Island is still
not commercialized, which is great if it want to keep
its unique status. Accommodation is also available
on the Island.
Other interesting historical building includes the
Catholic Church, cemetery and numerous other
ancient administration buildings. A wonderful experi-
ence almost sending you back in time to the days
when Vasco da Gamma docked his ships!
City hall
City Hall (Conselho Municipal). This
building houses the Mayor Cham-
bers or in colonial days the gover-
nor. It is a distinctive rather austere
building in a classical style of those
times. It was completed in 1945 and
had the words “Aqui é Portugal”
(This is Portugal) inscribed on the
outside front of the building. These
have subsequently been removed.