GREAT ZIMBABWE

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Southeast of Harare is the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe.  The largest and most significant ancient monument south of the Sahara.  In Africa it is the second in size and importance to the Egyptian pyramids.

 

The site is conclusive evidence of burgeoning African civilization, which reached its apex long before the arrival of Europeans, and of ancient Arab trade routes and early Portuguese traders.  Archaeological finds have shown that it was a religious and temporal capital of great significance.  The towering “stone houses” (dzimba-dzemabwe) were home to a society of 2000 Shona-speaking people that prospered between the 12^th and 15^th centuries.  The complex extends across 270 hectares and a whole day is strongly recommended to fully appreciate its majesty.

 

Among these ruins a beautiful stylized stone fish eagle was found.  Its form is now the national emblem and the sculpture, one of seven, has pride of place in the site museum.

 

On top of the hill, a dry stone citadel set among giant boulders overlooks the valley and offers breathtaking views.  Below is an enclosure 250m in diameter with double walls up to 10m in height, protecting a huge conical tower, smaller towers and many lesser enclosures linked to a sunken passage-ways and walls.  Every structure was built using a dry-stone technique – entirely without mortar – involving millions of stones, each one supporting another.

 

Close to the monument is the Mutirikwi dam, which is the third largest in Zimbabwe.  Lake Mutirikwi has an incredibly beautiful, rugged and rocky shoreline much of which has been designated a National Park.  Its major attraction, aside from the beauty of its flora, is its thriving population of white rhino.  The lake is also popular for water sports.  Excursion can be arranged to the bird-rich island.

 

Masvingo

The nearest town is Masvingo, lying 28kms from Great Zimbabwe.  The provincial capital is both commercial and industrial centre with hotels and other facilities for tourists.  Masvingo is the country’s oldest town and was established by pioneer column in 1890 as Fort Victoria.  One of the fort’s watchtowers can still be seen in the town centre.

 

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