Stone Town at sunset.

Stone Town was once the capital of the Sultanate of Zanzibar and an important economic, trade, and cultural center in East Africa. Its history dates back to the 8th century AD, when Arab merchants settled here and merged with the local culture to form the unique Swahili culture. The architectural style of Stone Town is mainly Arabic, characterized by exquisite carvings and gorgeous patterns. The tall wooden doors of the buildings in the city are covered with copper nails, and these carvings and decorations show typical Arabic style.