Old Fort

This old Portuguese fortress is the oldest building in Maputo. Showing the sharing of African and Portuguese history, the body of one of the first African leaders is housed here in a finely crafted coffin. Meanwhile, in the courtyard is an equistrian statue of one of the Portuguese military officers who led the conquest of what is today Mozambique. The fort was actually originally built in 1720 by the Dutch East India Company but soon after was abandoned and the Portuguese began to exert control in the area.

At top, Heather poses at the entrance. The coffin of the African leader. Then, the statue of the Portuguese conqueror. Finally, a view along the wall.