The stone city of Zanzibar (Tanzania) [World Heritage #14]

A true melting-pot of cultures (Swahili, Arab, Indian and European among them), it was visited by the Portuguese in the 15^th century, annexed to the Sultanate of Oman in the 17^th century, and became a British protectorate in the 20^th century before being merged with Tanzania in 1964, a year after it gained its independence. 

Its historic centre, the “stone city”, was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2000 (the same year as the Loire Valley) for its composite architecture, which includes patioed rag-coral houses, richly carved wooden doors, corbelled wooden balconies, cathedrals and mosques, all going together to constitute a remarkable homogeneous urban landscape. 

It is also less laudably famed as having been a hub of the East African slave trade, which only came to an end in the second half of the 19^th century – another reason for its recognition by UNESCO. 

On the web:

• La ville de pierre de Zanzibar