Open Travel Guide
History of Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam History & Heritage Guide 2026

Explore the rich history, historical sites, and museums of Dar es Salaam.

By Updated

Dar es Salaam has 8+ historical sites covered in this guide, led by National Museum and House of Culture, Village Museum (Makumbusho) and Askari Monument. Each entry below includes the practical details — what it costs, when to go, and how to plan around it.

Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's largest city and main port, a hot Swahili coastal metropolis of markets, museums, harbour life and island beaches, and the gateway to Zanzibar and Tanzania's safari circuit.

Dar es Salaam ('haven of peace') was founded by Sultan Majid of Zanzibar around 1865-1866, became the capital of German East Africa in 1891, then of British-run Tanganyika and of independent Tanzania in 1961. Dodoma became the official capital in 1973 and the government moved there, but Dar es Salaam remains the commercial centre.

Historical timeline

Key moments that shaped Dar es Salaam.

  1. 1

    Founding

    c. 1865

    Sultan Majid of Zanzibar builds a new port town.

  2. 2

    German capital

    1891

    German East Africa moves its capital to Dar es Salaam.

  3. 3

    British capture

    1916

    British forces take the city during World War I.

  4. 4

    Independence

    1961

    Tanganyika becomes independent with Dar es Salaam as capital.

  5. 5

    Union

    1964

    Tanganyika and Zanzibar form the United Republic of Tanzania.

  6. 6

    Capital decision

    1973

    Dodoma is designated capital; government relocation takes decades.

Historical eras

The chapters of Dar es Salaam's past.

to 1884

Swahili coast and Zanzibari era

Mzizima fishing village and Kunduchi trading settlement under Shirazi and Zanzibar influence.

1891-1916

German colonial

Capital of German East Africa; St. Joseph's Cathedral and Azania Front Church date from this era.

1916-1961

British mandate

Capital of Tanganyika Territory; growth of Kariakoo and Indian trading quarters.

1961-present

Independence

Julius Nyerere's Tanzania; Dar es Salaam remains the largest city and commercial hub.

Historical sites

Places where Dar es Salaam's past comes alive.

Prehistory to independence (Olduvai fossils to 1961)

National Museum and House of Culture

Where: Posta

Admission: Non-residents about 15,000 TZS (approx. $6)
Traditional Tanzanian ethnographic heritage (displayed since 1966)

Village Museum (Makumbusho)

Where: Kijitonyama

Admission: About 12,000 TZS (approx. $5)
British colonial / First World War memorial (1914-1918, unveiled 1927)

Askari Monument

Where: City centre

Admission: Free
Omani Zanzibari and German colonial (1860s-1919)

Old Boma

Where: Kivukoni

Admission: Free to view the exterior
German colonial (built 1898-1901)

Azania Front Lutheran Church

Where: Kivukoni

Admission: Free
German colonial / Gothic Revival (built 1897-1902)

St. Joseph's Metropolitan Cathedral

Where: Kivukoni

Admission: Free
Swahili coast (15th-19th c.)

Kunduchi Ruins

Where: Kunduchi

Admission: Approx. 5,000 TZS ($2); verify locally
Swahili medieval to German colonial (13th-19th c.)

Bagamoyo Old Town and Kaole Ruins

Where: Bagamoyo

Admission: Old Fort about 10,000 TZS (approx. $4); Kaole Ruins about 5,000 TZS (approx. $2) for non-residents

Museums

Curated collections that tell Dar es Salaam's story.

Museum

National Museum and House of Culture

Fossils, history and ethnography.

Museum

Village Museum

Replica traditional dwellings.

Historical tours

Guided experiences that bring history to life.

Tour

Dar es Salaam heritage walking tour

Self-guided route: Askari Monument, Old Boma, Azania Front Church, St. Joseph's Cathedral, Kivukoni Fish Market (about 3 km, 2-3 hours).

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