Lamu
The ancient city of Lamu, in Kenya, 200 km north of Mombasa, is the oldest and best conserved Swahili city in East Africa, maintaining its traditional functions. Built in coral stone and mangrove wood, the town is characterized by the simplicity of its structural forms, enriched with interior patios, handrails and artistically carved wooden doors. Lamu is still the center of the main Muslim religious festivals since the 19th century and became an important center for the study of Islamic and Swahili cultures.