Fort Jesus is a Portugese fort constructed under the command of Portuguese king Philip I, the emperor of the combined kingdom of Portugal and Spain. The fort is situated in the island of Mombasa to protect the aged Mombasa port in Kenya. It is constructed in such a way that if you see from air, it resembles the shape of human being and is called as Jesus. UNESCO declared the fort as a world heritage site in the year 2001.

A museum is located inside the fort housing rare artifacts. Giovanni Battista Cairati, the renowned architect from Milan designed the fort. It was constructed in European style to withstand cannon fire.

During the British colonial rule in Kenya, Fort Jesus was used as a prison and in 1958; it was transformed into a historical memorial.

You can take pleasure in admiring the beautiful giant cannons and the dungeons, where the prisoners were kept as slaves.

You can also enjoy the light and sound show in which you can witness portions of the ruins under the setting of multicolored lights.

Apart from the museum, the fort is a venue for organizing several research curriculums, traditional town conservative office, and conservation laboratory and education department.

Opening hours

Fort Jesus is opened from 0800hrs to 1700hrs

Address

Fort Jesus Museum
Ndia Kuu, Mombasa, Kenya
Tel: 254 11 312839, 0412222425