The Comoros archipelago preserves a mix of Swahili, Arab and French-era remains tucked into villages, coastal towns and island hills. Many sites are intimate rather than heavily touristed, so a little planning rewards visits with direct contact with local history and architecture.
There are 15 Historical Places in Comoros, ranging from Ancienne Mosquée du Vendredi to Sultan’s Palace of Mutsamudu. For each site the data are organized as Location (island or nearest town),Coordinates (lat, long),Significance (max 15 words); you’ll find below.
What’s the best way to plan visiting several historical sites across Comoros?
Group sites by island, build a flexible schedule around ferry or local flight times, and use a local guide or guesthouse host to arrange transport and permissions; this minimizes travel time and surfaces local context you won’t get from maps alone.
Do I need permission or special conduct to enter places like Ancienne Mosquée du Vendredi or Sultan’s Palace of Mutsamudu?
Many sites are publicly visible, but mosques require modest dress and quiet behavior and some palaces may sit on private or managed land—ask locally, respect posted rules, and consider hiring a guide for access and cultural explanations.
Historical Places in Comoros
| Name | Location (island or nearest town) | Coordinates (lat, long) | Significance (max 15 words) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancienne Mosquée du Vendredi | Moroni, Grande Comore | -11.7043, 43.2550 | Iconic 15th-century Swahili mosque, a major landmark of Moroni’s old town. |
| Medina of Moroni | Moroni, Grande Comore | -11.7032, 43.2541 | Historic Swahili old town with narrow alleys, carved doors, and ancient mosques. |
| Musée National des Comores | Moroni, Grande Comore | -11.7025, 43.2533 | Housed in a former sultan’s palace, showcasing Comorian history, culture, and art. |
| Itsandra Medina | Itsandra, Grande Comore | -11.6661, 43.2505 | Ruins of the first capital of Ngazidja island, with a fortress and royal tombs. |
| Iconi Cliffs (Mur des Veuves) | Iconi, Grande Comore | -11.7358, 43.2452 | Site where women leaped to death to escape 18th-century Malagasy slavers. |
| Bangoi Kouni Fortress | Bangoi Kouni, Grande Comore | -11.6385, 43.2847 | Ruins of a strategic fortress overlooking the north coast of Grande Comore. |
| Foumbouni Old Town | Foumbouni, Grande Comore | -11.8703, 43.4355 | Historic walled town on the east coast, known for its Shirazi heritage and mosques. |
| Citadel of Mutsamudu | Mutsamudu, Anjouan | -12.1663, 44.3986 | 18th-century fortress built by Sultan Abdallah I, offering panoramic views of the city. |
| Medina of Mutsamudu | Mutsamudu, Anjouan | -12.1685, 44.4001 | Historic labyrinthine old town, the heart of Anjouan’s former sultanate. |
| Sultan’s Palace of Mutsamudu | Mutsamudu, Anjouan | -12.1678, 44.4012 | Ruins of the historic palace of the Sultans of Anjouan within the medina. |
| Medina of Domoni | Domoni, Anjouan | -12.2575, 44.5310 | Well-preserved 13th-century medina, a former capital and major trading port of Anjouan. |
| Mausoleum of Ahmed Abdallah | Domoni, Anjouan | -12.2568, 44.5321 | Tomb of the first president of Comoros, a significant 20th-century political landmark. |
| Sima Medina | Sima, Anjouan | -12.2031, 44.3168 | Historic coastal town center known for its mosques and traditional Swahili architecture. |
| Palais de la Reine Djoumbé Fatima | Fomboni, Mohéli | -12.2851, 43.7434 | Ruins of the 19th-century palace of Djoumbé Fatima, last queen of Mohéli. |
| Old Friday Mosque of Fomboni | Fomboni, Mohéli | -12.2860, 43.7420 | Historic central mosque of the capital of Mohéli, dating to the 19th century. |
Images and Descriptions
Ancienne Mosquée du Vendredi
Medina of Moroni
Musée National des Comores
The national museum in Moroni that holds artifacts on Comorian history, culture and natural history. It displays traditional tools, textiles, coins and maps. It serves as a key reference point for visitors seeking context about the islands’ past.
Itsandra Medina
A coastal medieval settlement near Moroni with narrow lanes and coral-stone houses. It preserves traces of pre-colonial urban life and local trading networks. It appears in the post as an example of early island towns.
Iconi Cliffs (Mur des Veuves)
A dramatic coastal cliff near Iconi known locally as the ‘Wall of Widows.’ It links landscape and oral history and marks a site of local memory and past conflict. It combines natural beauty with cultural significance.
Bangoi Kouni Fortress
A ruined coastal fortress that served as a defensive post in the sultanate era. It contains coral-stone walls and watch points facing the sea. It illustrates coastal power structures and maritime defense on the islands.
Foumbouni Old Town
An older urban quarter with traditional houses and market traces. It reflects rhythms of island life before modern expansion. It is included for its regional heritage value and street-level architecture.
Citadel of Mutsamudu
A major fortified complex on Anjouan with high coral-stone walls overlooking the harbor. It dates to the sultanate period and served defensive and administrative roles. It ranks among Comoros’ best-preserved colonial-era fortifications.
Medina of Mutsamudu
The historic town center of Mutsamudu with narrow streets, old mosques and coral-stone homes. It shows strong Swahili and Islamic urban traditions. It remains a living historic quarter and travel highlight.
Sultan’s Palace of Mutsamudu
The former residence of Anjouan sultans located near Mutsamudu’s old town. It represents royal governance and local elite life in the island sultanates. Its ruins and structures offer context on political history.
Medina of Domoni
A historic port town on Anjouan with ancient mosques, narrow alleys and trading houses. It served as a regional commercial and religious center in pre-colonial times. It is included for its clear links to Indian Ocean trade networks.
Mausoleum of Ahmed Abdallah
The memorial site for Ahmed Abdallah, a post-independence political leader of Comoros. It functions as a modern national monument and a place of official remembrance. It stands as a recent chapter in the islands’ history.
Sima Medina
The old quarter of Sima, a coastal settlement with traditional buildings and a small harbor. It preserves local craft and fishing heritage tied to long-standing sea routes. It offers a compact example of island medina life.
Palais de la Reine Djoumbé Fatima
The historic palace associated with Queen Djoumbé Fatima, a 19th-century island ruler. It represents royal authority and female leadership in local history. It remains important for studies of Comorian monarchy and social order.
Old Friday Mosque of Fomboni
A central Friday mosque in Fomboni on Mohéli with traditional coral-stone features. It anchors community life and religious practice on the island. It is included as a key example of local Islamic architectural heritage.
