This is one of the better things to do in Stone Town. It has a whole presentation on the history of the slave trade. It provides more content and perspective than what one might learn from a high school history class. It's worth the visit for that alone. There is a small entrance fee. I can't remember how much, so relatively inconsequential. I've attached a few snap-shots of the narrative, but take note it is only a fraction of the content provided.

It was good excursion about Zanzibar history of slavery and role of this place. It was very interesting to visit and look basement, where the slaves had been keeped before sold.

Was a really good place to visit and see. Would recommend all tourists who are interested in history to visit this site. The architectural designs are amazing!

Apparently there is more than just the exhibit with panels and pictures, and a place underground also. We couldn't find it, and you might need to pay a guide extra for that (on top of admission to the exhibit). A few rooms details the history of the market in display panels with photos and renderings and a lot of reading. There is a monument that you can see in the photos. The interior of the cathedral is nice. They have services on Sundays in Swahili. There is a service in English at 8AM in the chapel. The price of admission is high, but you're not paying for new information, simply just to get past the gates to see the monument and read some panels, and be in the same place where it all happened. The information presented is definitely sobering and good knowledge to have when visiting and touring Stone Town, but if you can read about it online and have no need to be in the same location as where it happened (and could be content with just looking past the gate--or visiting on Sunday for church to get on the grounds), you won't be missing much.

Great place to go to understand the history of Zanzibar (the slavery and ivory trade, the church and influences on the culture). You are given a verified private tour guide once you pay the entrance fee and the guide gives you lots of info and you are free to ask questions. The guides are also available to hire for a walking tour of Stone Town if there are other sites you want to see.

My visit to the Old Slave Market/Anglican Cathedral in Zanzibar, Tanzania, was a sobering and thought-provoking experience. The site was formerly a slave market, where thousands of enslaved Africans were bought and sold during the 19th century. The history of the site is presented in a clear and informative way, with displays and exhibits that detail the brutal reality of the slave trade. The guided tour was insightful and provided a greater understanding of the horrific conditions that the enslaved people were subjected to. The Anglican Cathedral, which now stands on the site of the former slave market, is a beautiful and striking building that provides a fitting tribute to the victims of the slave trade. The architecture is impressive, with high ceilings, stained glass windows, and intricate details. Overall, my visit to the Old Slave Market/Anglican Cathedral was a powerful and moving experience that left a lasting impression. It is a reminder of the inhumanity and cruelty of the slave trade and serves as a call to action to continue to work towards a more just and equitable society. I highly recommend a visit to this historic site for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of the history of Zanzibar and the impact of the slave trade.

A must visit to appreciate the terror that slavery was and how people were taken from their village and commodities like animals. The guide was excellent and informative.

Very depressing to be reminded of this terrible time.

A must visit place when in Zanzibar. Couldn't stop reading the posters.

Dont understand why anyone should pay for this. There are good info panels about the history of slavery which tell you more than a "guide" that will take you to the church - LOL?! .. theres a statue of slaves and you will see the slaves chamber and thats it. Ok for 5 dollars but very annonying thing is that other "salesman" would try to force you to buy their muslim clothes that you "must" wear if you are a woman to go to the church, very amusing :))

First of all, where you can find this in world? Complaints about paying are riddicilous for visiting slave market, THE church made in both styles and just to be there is pretty astonishing for me. I pitty those coments. Amazing place amazing tour and amazing part of history to see what was done and still is done in different mental state and how we “progress” or not. Few things in World history are important like this, there is no other way to put it. Was great visiting and worth of “paying” for this.

So very sad Man's inhumanety to Man. A must see

Good museum which wide exhibition leaves you wondering about human nature. Good half a day activity in Stone town.

In order to get inside and see the St Anglican Church and the Old Slave Market monument you have to pay a symbolic amount and hire a guide. Our guide was very informative and she helped us learn a lot about this sad part of history. It is must-visit if you are exploring Stone Town.

Sad tribute to a practice that should never have been. This museum curates the old slave trade practices, with pictures and tales from survivors . The Anglican Christmas Church Cathedral pays homage to the missionaries who helped abolish slave trade. The underground dungeons where slaves were packed like sardines saddened my heart. I admire and show much respect to those who survived to tell their stories . The exhibition was very informative although most of the relics have since been lost and built over. Historic and should not be missed . Donations help and using one of the guide tours helps contribute to the economy

Beautiful church but with a sad story behind it as this was built where the former slave market and the altar is supposedly on the spot where the original whipping post was located. You can see a round tile on the floor in front of the altar marking the spot. The whipping post was used to test the strength of the slaves; those that took longer to cry out fetched a higher price. The red flooring around the circle symbolizes the blood that was shed. Edward Steere, the church’s designer, is buried behind the altar

Informative museum on the East African slave trade. Dark times for humanity. The shame of many prosperous countries in the world. It really gives you a lump in your throat here, looking at the depictions of villages being burned and families split up and shipped away. The East Africans were sent as slaves to mainly Arabia, after being imprisoned and bought here in Stonetown, Zanzibar. I knew a lot about the slave trade to the Caribbean, but not so much here, so it was very educational. Lots of history, pictures and illustrations in the museum, and stories on individuals. I got a good background on how Dr. Livingstone was on the side of the slaves and tried to promote trade of resources to phase out slavery. There are also some stories on the individual slave traders, if you can stomach their greed and heartlessness. There is also a basement under the church where the slaves were imprisoned, that you can explore. A guide is allocated to you with the price of admission. Our guide was really good.

The place itself is very interesting. There is a lot of information about slavery written in the last room in the museum. I think the overall experience depends on a tour guide you get. Unfortunately our guide (Everest?) was arrogant, didn’t say a lot. He was trying to convince us to get a walking/prison island tour with him after the museum. I saw there were more professional guides around us with other groups.

The Anglican Cathedral in Stone Town, built on the site of the old slave market, is a poignant blend of history and spirituality. The cathedral's architecture is impressive, reflecting the island's diverse cultural influences. The adjacent memorial garden serves as a powerful reminder of the painful past, making this site both a symbol of resilience and a place for reflection.

Very informative on Slave trade, even modern day slave trade, the Anglican cathedral inside is so beautiful. Continue down to the chambers after reading the content.. it’s downstairs after the shop. Also slave sculptures are outside beside the cathedral. Worth seeing. Women should cover their knees though or they won’t let you in and you have to get a “kanga” scurf at the entrance.

Visited a couple of times as a kid on school trips. Neglected place. I guess we locals don't really understand it's historical significance to Zanzibar and the slave trade era. It should be advertised more. Take advantage of the tourism potential it has or used to have. Not many countries have what we have.

If you don’t know your history, you will not know your future nor be grateful if your present.

It was quite interesting and no need to pay for tour guide, but only and entrance fee. Everything is written in English which made it easier to understand the history of Zanzibar.

Very rich history with sleeves

Before many decades Zanzibar was the centralize of political and economic power in East Africa and it was the largest slave market in Africa.

Very humbling history lesson to be gained there! I recommend not taking a guide thats offered as they sort of go the opposite way (places first than the rooms with the information - better experience learning about a place first then seeing it)

For Slave market full information nice place to visit best times whole week except Sunday after prayers cause only customers allowed to enter till late Afternoon.

The story is depressing, of course, but the guide and the exhibition are worth seeing

Very very sad story! When you see all this, you wonder how much life is worth! Everyone must see these rooms and hear the story of this place! Tears, fear and a lot of emotions are coming! A must visit!

It’s a scary story about the slavery, but it needs to be remembered by future generations. So it cannot be repeated.

Visiting the Slave Market Museum in Stone Town was a deeply poignant and emotionally impactful experience. It serves as a crucial reminder of a significant and sobering chapter in history.

This is a must see museum, the ticket price also includes a guided tour and you can stay in the museum area reading the information boards to your hearts content. I have visited many slavery museums, those in the Caribbean, US and UK and this one was particularly interesting because it elaborated the East African and Arab slave trade which I knew very little about. I would highly recommend and it has inspired me to do more reading on the subject.

Sobering reminder of how horrible our history is. Great photo documentary in exhibition telling the heartbreaking stories.

Very important history. Plan lots of time to read everything. I recommend asking to go back to sit in the sanctuary to reflect and let it settle in a few minutes before heading back out in the city.

It is one of the significant places to get information about the slave trade.

It's a historical place that shows the brutality of slavery but it hurts when you see and understand how slaves were treated

It so beautiful

For East Africa slave History

History

(Translated by Google) Paid entry. The cathedral is interesting, but the overall condition is quite poor. (Original) Placený vstup. Katedrala zajímavá, ale celkový stav dost bídný.

(Translated by Google) The slavery museum is impressive. Heavy but true history of the world. There are guides at the entrance, it is quite possible to take for a couple of dollars, they will tell everything and show. Entrance 5 USD (Original) Музей рабства впечатляет. Тяжёлая но правдивая история мира. На входе стоят типа гиды, вполне можно взять за пару долларов расскажет все и покажет. Вход 5дол.

(Translated by Google) Museum - former slave market. Very small dungeon rooms in which dozens of people were imprisoned. (Original) Muzeum - dawny targ niewolników. Bardzo małe pomieszczenia lochów w których więzionyo po kilkadziesiąt osób.

(Translated by Google) Makes you very thoughtful. Was the best attraction in Stone Town for me. (Original) Macht einen sehr nachdenklich. War für mich die beste Attraktion in Stone Town.

amazingly place

Everybody should visit this place. The biggest slave market on East Africa. Guide will tell you history and show you part that still exist. Very emocional and touching place. Tickets 5$ + tips for guide. Tour take +/- 45min. No que.

Most of the exposition is a description of slave market history. It might be interesting for some people but a boaring for others. A expected a bit more but still worth a visit.

This hit hard. I still cant get it out of my mind. The guides who worked there were very knowledgable too. I'm haunted but they did good with setting this up to learn and never forget what horrors took place

A cathedral built in honor of ending slavery in Zanzibar, underground will leave an impression on you......

(Translated by Google) It's a place you know a little bit about the history of slavery. (Original) C'est un endroits que vous savoir un petit peu sur l'histoire de l'esclavage.