Lamu is one of the original settlements and Kenya's oldest living towns along the coastal line. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lamu has a lot to offer for those looking for an authentic experience. The roads are so narrow that cars are not allowed but you can easily move around the whole town by foot, bicycle or preferably riding on a donkey....
Lamu's unique stone townhouses, many dating back to the early 18th Century, are celebrated for their intricately carved wooden front doors, imposing entrance porches and shady courtyards, the grandeur and elegance of their interiors and their beautiful decorative stucco plasterwork.
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| Daka Baraza seats |
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| intricate carving detail on lamu door |
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| Door bolt |
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| kiti cha enzi |
The traditional stone house is Lamu's classic building type - found exclusively in Mkomani - the northern and oldest part of the town - a patrician area built and inhabited by wealthy merchants and noble Arab families - many of whose descendants still live in these grand, historic family homes.
They vary in size and form, from relatively modest, single-storey houses to magnificent mansions, but all share a uniformity of design, construction and decoration. Each house follows a universal, centuries-old plan, and consists of a series of richly-ornamented galleries facing northwards towards Mecca. Thick external walls, high ceilings and small windows protect the inhabitants from the equatorial sun and ensure that the interiors are cool, private and secluded. Lamu is truly a gem....
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| traditional coral exterior |
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| typical lamu street |
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| Yumbe guest house courtyard |
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| Yumbe Guest house |
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| Yumbe Villa |
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| Zidaka- niches |
