African Design Magazine ADM #35 November 2017 | Página 31
imported from Europe. The construction material used is an original combination of
coral rag, concrete slabs, mangrove shoots or boriti, as well as steel beams.
As part of this building's luxurious decoration, it is said that the Sultan kept wild
animals chained up in front of the building for display. He had the building's main
door made wide enough, so he could ride an elephant through. During the Anglo-
Zanzibar War in 1896 August 27, the Beit al- Hukum palace was completely
destroyed, while the Beit al- Sahel suffered severe damage.
However, the House of Wonders only suffered minor damages, the lighthouse that
used to stand right in front of the building sadly could not be saved. The palace was
later reconstructed in 1896 where a new clock tower was integrated into the façade of
the House of Wonders, unfortunately, Beit al-Hukum palace was not rebuilt. This site
was transformed into a beautiful garden that enhanced the appeal of the House of
Wonders.
In 1911, the House of Wonders was transformed into government ofces and as
the chief secretariat for the British governing authorities. More than ve
decades later, after the Zanzibar Revolution of 1964, it was again transformed
into a school and museum for the then ruling Party, Afro-Shirazi, with the aid of
North Korea.
During 1992–1994 further museum developments were initiated. Today, Beit al-
Hukum stands as the Palace Museum while the House of Wonders serves as the
iconic Museum of History and Culture of Zanzibar and Swahili.
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