Azania Front Lutheran Church

The Azania Front Lutheran Church is one of the most photographed historic buildings on the Dar es Salaam waterfront in Tanzania, standing on Sokoine Drive in the Kivukoni area, about three minutes' walk from St. Joseph's Cathedral. The church was built by German missionaries in the late nineteenth century and remains an active Lutheran congregation. Its architecture is distinctive: a steeply pitched red-tiled roof, a tall tower and a plain, whitewashed exterior that sit in contrast with the stone Gothic lines of the nearby Catholic cathedral. The harbour setting gives it an unusual charm, with fishing boats and ferries visible from the front and the green of the neighbouring gardens behind. Visitors can walk around the exterior at any time to appreciate the proportions, the tower and the roof details. The interior is open during daytime hours or when services are held, and visitors who go in find a simple, light-filled hall with wooden pews and little ornamentation, which reflects Lutheran tradition. The visit is short, usually 15 to 20 minutes, and fits naturally into a walking circuit that includes the cathedral, the Old Boma and the fish market. Morning light is best for photography, when the sun strikes the facade and the harbour is calm. Visitors should dress modestly and keep quiet if a service is taking place, and may be asked to wait outside during worship. Entry is free, and donations are welcome. Crowds are rarely an issue; the busiest times are Sunday mornings, when the congregation gathers, and any times when tour groups stop for the same photographs. The surrounding waterfront road is busy with traffic, so crossing with care is sensible. A short walk in either direction leads to the ferry terminal and Kivukoni's cafes.