Fukuchani Ruins & Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Nungwi Rd, Fukuchani, Tansania. 15 minutes south of Nungwi. (-5.829394, 39.291880)
Open:	no restrictions. [2023]
Fee:	Adults USD 10. [2023]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Fukuchani Ruins & Cave, Nungwi Rd, Fukuchani, Tansania, Tel: +255-622-275-010.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Fukuchani, aka the Fukuchani Ruins, is a National Monument with ruined houses which were restored by archaeologists and are now protected by a modern roof. They were erected in the 16th century by the Portuguese, most likely at the location of a Shirazi settlement. The ruins are called the "Portuguese House" by the locals. It has pointed stone arches and, while not actually a castle, it was nevertheless a fortified building, which is proven by gun slits in the walls of the gatehouse. The buildings were built from the local coral rag, a rubbly limestone composed of ancient coral reef material. This is the most obvious sign that they were not built by the locals, which preferred clay as building material.

The abandoned settlement used a nearby cave as well for drinking water. Today the Fukuchani Cave is very well developed with a concrete staircase and steel railings, and is used by the visitors for bathing and snorkeling. As there is actually only one chamber or pothole with the cave lake at the bottom, the cave does not require light, the daylight shines into the cave.