| 1. Fort Jesus | | | | Jahazi Marine. Tickets cost US$15. |
| Mombasa's biggest tourist attraction dominates the | | | | 2. Religious Buildings |
| harbor entrance at the end of Nkurumah road. The | | | | Mombasa has some interesting mosques; non-Muslims |
| metre thick coral walls make it an imposing edifice, | | | | are usually not permitted to enter, although you can |
| despite being partially ruined. The fort was built by | | | | look from the outside. The dozen or so mosques in |
| the Portuguese in 1593 to enforce their rule over the | | | | the old town are the most traditional, while more |
| coastal Swahilis, but they rarely managed to hold | | | | modern examples in town include the Sheikh Nurein |
| onto it for long. It changed hands at least nine times | | | | Islamic Centre opposite Uhuru gardens, and the |
| in bloody sieges between 1631 and 1875, finally falling | | | | Khonzi mosque on Digo Rd. |
| under British control. | | | | You'll get a warm reception at the Hindu Lord Shiva |
| The fort was the final project completed by Italian | | | | Temple Mwinyi Ab Rd which has an interesting |
| architect Joao Batista Cairato in his long career as | | | | sculpture garden, and Swaminarayan Temple on Haile |
| chief architect for Portugal's eastern colonies. There | | | | selassie, which has some wonderfully ornate painted |
| are some ingenious elements in its design, especially | | | | doors and vivid paintings from Hindu mythology. For |
| the angular configuration of the west walls, which | | | | even more exotic design, there's a Sikh temple, a |
| makes it impossible to attack one wall without being | | | | Jain temple and a Hare Krishna Temple. Shoes should |
| a sitting duck for soldiers on the opposite | | | | be removed before entering any of these buildings, |
| battlements. | | | | and its worth asking about any other appropriate |
| The fort houses a museum, built over the former | | | | signs of respect. |
| barracks. The exhibits are mostly ceramics, reflecting | | | | The two main Christian churches are also worth |
| the variety of cultures that traded along the coast, | | | | seeing, for rather different reasons. The Holy Ghost |
| but include other interesting odds and ends donated | | | | cathedral is a very European hunk of neo-gothic |
| from private collections or dug up from sites along | | | | buttressed architecture, with massive fans in the |
| the coast. Also displayed are finds from the | | | | walls to cool its former colonial congregations. The |
| Portuguese frigate Santo Antonio de Tanna which | | | | Mombasa Memorial Cathedral, on the other hand, tries |
| sank near the fort during the siege in 1698, and the | | | | almost too hard to fit in, resembling a mosque with |
| far end of the hall is devoted to the fascinating | | | | its white walls, arches and cupola dome. |
| culture and traditions o the nine coastal Mijikenda | | | | 3. Old Law courts |
| tribes, including a map of sacred forests | | | | The old law courts on Nkrumah Rd have been |
| Exploring the battlements and ruined buildings within | | | | converted into an informal gallery, with regularly |
| the compound is just as interesting, though the fort | | | | changing of local at, Kenyan crafts, school |
| feels much smaller than it looks from the outside. | | | | competition pieces and votive objects from various |
| The Omani House in the san Fellipe bastion, in the | | | | tribal groups. |
| northwestern corner of the fort, was built in the late | | | | 4. Golf |
| 18th century and houses a small exhibition of Omani | | | | Drive, chip and putt to your heart are content at |
| jewellery and artifacts. | | | | Mombasa Golf Club, perched on the southeastern |
| Nearby is a ruined church, a huge well and cistern, | | | | edge of the island. Day membership is Kshs 1500, |
| and an excavated grave complete with skeleton. The | | | | clubs cost Kshs 800 per day and caddies cost Kshs |
| eastern wall of the fort includes the Omani audience | | | | 100 per nine hole round. |
| hall and the passage of the Arches, a passage cut | | | | 5. Sailing |
| through the coral to give access to the sea. | | | | If you can sail, it may be worth joining Mombasa |
| Most coach tours arrive here late in the morning, so if | | | | Yacht club. Temporary membership cost Ksh100/500 |
| you come early you may have the place to yourself. | | | | per day/week. Wednesday is club night, where |
| Many official and unofficial guides will offer their | | | | qualified sailors may be able to talk themselves into |
| services, often for free, though a tip is always | | | | some crewing, and there are usually races on Sunday. |
| expected. Alternatively, you can buy the 1981 fort | | | | Those hoping to hitch a lift on a passing yacht will |
| Jesus guide booklet (Kshs 60) from the ticket desk | | | | have a better (though remote) chance in Mtwapa or |
| and go it alone. At 7pm there is a daily 'sound and | | | | in Kilifi Boatyard. |
| light show' illustrating the forts history, organised by | | | | |