PALACE MUSEUM
Here is where you can learn about Zanzibar’s Sultans and interesting history about the Island. It is good to head here earlier on during your time to stone town to grasp the Heritage of the Island and its wealth of different influences.
The palace was built in the late 19th century to serve as a residence for the sultans, family. After the Zanzibar Revolution in 1964, it became a museum about the Zanzibar royal family and history. The ground floor displays details of the formative period of the Sultanate from 1828 to 1870 during which commercial treaties were signed between Zanzibar, United States of America, Britain and France. The 2nd floor focus on the period of affluence from 1870 to 1896 during which modern amenities such as piped water and electricity were introduced to Zanzibar under Sultan Barghash. The 3rd floor consists of the modest living quarters of sultan Khalifa bin Haroub 1911 to 1960 and his two wives, both of whom clearly had different tastes in furniture.
Inside the museum is the memorabilia of Princess Salme, best known as Emily Roete, former Zanzibari princess who fled from the sultanate to relocate with her husband. The exhibits include some of her writings, clothes, and daily life accessories.
