The island of Mozambique is about four kilometers off the Northern coast of Mozambique. Popular for its powder white coral sands, and surrounded by the sapphire and emerald waters of the Indian Ocean, the colonial opulence of this jewel of the Portuguese empire, reflects in its Grandiose buildings, cathedrals, sporting clubs mansions, massive cannons and forts. The island is merely 2 kilometers long and 500m wide and oh so lovely.
From the 10th century to the 15th century, Arab merchants traded here with the local Bantu tribes. Vasco da Gama, landed here in 1498, and claimed the land for Portugal. Four years later he returned with Portugese settlers and went on to built the first fortress. The island assumed prominence in Portugal's campaign to trade with India and East Africa and flourished as the capital of Portugese East Africa till 1898 and almost a century later, in 1991, the island was on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The nights are cool and calm, the background music thumping unobtrusively. One of the key attractions on the island is the elegant Green Mosque, which stands overlooking the main island's main market, where farmers and fishermen offer an assortment of local fruits and seafood. The Omabi Arab traders who settled in the island in the 10th century brought Islam with them. With the arrival of the Portuguese though, the influence of Islam completely vanished. The mosque that stands today is a century old. The temple here is taken care of by a Muslim, as Hindus haven't stepped into this island, for the last 30 years. However, the simple act of preservation, perhaps give us a glimmer of hope of things to come. The devanagri script etched in marble on an ornate doorway is sure to leave a lasting impression.
The impressive red building is a must-see. Built in 1674 as a Jesuit convent, today is a museum displaying exquisite carpets, Chinese porcelain, Paintings, furniture from Goa and elsewhere in India. The imposing fort of St. Sebastian was built to guard against a Turkish invasion in the mid-16th century. Its Italian renaissance architecture is formidable and the fort withstood a colossal attack by the Dutch in 1607, and the walls still remain to retell the tales of the bygone era. The chapel of Senhora de Baluarte on the northern tip was built in 1552 and is considered the first European building in the Southern Hemisphere.
The myriad mixes of religion, folklore, and traditional healing have survived centuries of invasion, and the population of Ihla boomed and it was seen as a safe haven during the 30 years of civil war in Mozambique.
Fact File
Getting There
Air France, Air Portugal and Mozambique Airlines Lam
When To Go
April and September when the weather is dry and warm, It is advisable to carry some rainwear also,
Stay
Casa Azul, The Blue House - A boutique hotel run by former equestrian and bullfighter, Zico
Eat
Get some fresh vegetables and rice and then it hand these over to any fisherman and he will dish it out for you on the beach along with his fresh catch
Shop
Tourists swear by the local crafts, coconut shells and things made of woods especially. In the evenings the fishermen set up a 'haat'.
See
Ihla's alleyways are a treasure-trove. One can walk through the ruins of Vaso Da Gama's house.
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