Ilha de Mozambique (Mozambique Island) is an island in the Nampula Province in Northern Mozambique with a historical heritage that's unmatched in the rest of Mozambique, and indeed the rest of Africa. It was the capital of Mozambique for nearly four centuries under Portuguese colonization before the move to Lourenco Marques (now Maputo), and had been used as a major base for the Arab traders long before the arrival of the Portuguese. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The tiny, roughly 1 sq km island is connected by a concrete bridge with the mainland and is said to be crowded by 16000 inhabitants, most of them living in shacks with dismal sanitary conditions.
The island was a major Arab port and boat building centre long before Vasco da Gama visited in 1498. The Portuguese established a port and naval base as early as 1507, and built the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte, in 1522, now considered the oldest European building in the southern hemisphere.
During the sixteenth century, the Fort of São Sebastião was built, and the Portuguese settlement (now known as Stone Town) became the capital of Portuguese East Africa. The island also became an important missionary centre and is now a World Heritage Site. It withstood Dutch attacks in 1607 and 1608 and remained a major post for the Portuguese on their trips to India. It saw the trading of slaves, spices and gold.
PLACE TO VISIT
Holy House of Mercy is an historic white structure in Macau's Senado Square . Everywhere. Ilha's a magical mix of old Portuguese and old muslim architecture. It basically divides into two halves - the old Stone Town in the north and the "Reed Town" in the south which is set down from the main streets.
Built in 1569 on the orders of the Bishop of Macao. It was a medical clinic and several other social welfare structures in early Macau. It later served as an orphanage and refuge for widowers of sailors lost at sea.
Chocas Mar is a long pristine beach in Nampula Province in Mozambique. It is about 40km north of the Island of Mozambique across the Mossuril Bay. There are a couple of accommodation options in the area, including Complexo Namarralo. Chocas Mar is accessible either by unpaved road or boat. Also nearby is the town of Cabaceira that has a restaurant, a beautiful old church and the ruins of a Governor's house.
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte is located on the most eastern tip of the Island of Mozambique which sits of the coast of Mozambique in Africa. The Chapel is situated outside the Fort of Sao Sebastiao from which it can be reached through a gate. Built by the Portuguese in 1522, the chapel is considered to be the oldest European building in the southern hemisphere. It is also considered to be one of the finest examples of Manueline vaulted architecture in Mozambique.
The museum is in the old Palacio Govierno, a big red building up in Stone Town. In the same building is a tourist information office that sells really good street maps and has all sorts of other information about the various restaurants and pensaos on the island. It's well worth heading here as soon as you arrive.
The island, now entirely urbanised, is also home to several mosques and a Hindu temple. A 3km bridge was erected in the 1960s to connect it to the mainland.
The island in itself is not very big, about 3 km long and between 200 and 500 metre wide. Most historical buildings are at the island's northern end. The majority of the residents live in reed houses in Makuti Town at the southern end of the island.
WHAT TO DO
There's a dive centre at the northern end of the island just down from the fort, but ask a lot of questions, and think twice if you aren't an experienced diver yourself.
You can take boat trips or just laze on the beach. If you're feeling adventurous take a dhow over to the mainland at Chaga or Mossuril and explore along the coast there.
HOW TO REACH
Ilha can easily be reached by road from Nampula. If you're driving follow the road towards Nacala, and turn off at the signpost for Ilha de Mozambique (which is in Monapo). It'll take around 2 hours and the road is good. When you get there you'll need to cross the causeway which costs about Mts 5,000.
If you're taking a chapa they leave from Ave de Trabhadores in Nampula near the railway station and cost Mts 80,000.
