Historic Sites in Lamu

Lamu Museum: Art I History I Culture of Lamu

Dedicated to the art, history and culture of Lamu, within a double-storeyed old fort built in 1892, Lamu Museum, begun in December of 1971, collects, conserves and displays the long history of the archipelago. It provides a useful nexus for travellers to the Lamu Archipelago through didactic catalogs of its long fascinating chronicles, from its trade era, to the present. Along with a venerable memorabilia library, various festivals are hosted within the courtyards. It is in possession of almost 1,000 pieces of Sassanian Islamic pottery collected mainly from nearby island towns like Kipungani. Lamu Museum is located just 200 ms north of Lamu Fort and adjacent to Lamu Catholic Church along the town’s main seafront street.

In 2023, in a somewhat controversial spruce move, the Omani Government in partnership with UNESCO undertook the upgrading of different UNESCO World Heritage sites. They partnered with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage and NMK to renovate part of Fort Jesus, Nairobi and Lamu Museums. While the facelifts and touchup were mush welcome, it is the removal of indigenous African artefacts – replacing them Omani relics – that was met with angst and antipathy. Presently, Lamu Museum has seven new exhibits, on the second floor, dedicated to Omani and dubbed as foreign exhibits. Still and all, it showcases the cultural and ethnographic history of the Swahili people and the northern Swahili coast.

The regional museums in Kenya offer a fascinating journey through the country’s history and heritage. They look back at ancient civilizations, cultures as they were centuries ago, cottage industries, colonial legacies, and archaeological finding – in specialization or as a combination – to give insights on the past and present.

Index of Regional Museums in Kenya

Baringo County - Kabarnet Museum , Kipsaraman Museum , Biretwo Museum , Busia County - The Kakapel Cultural Center , Elgeyo Marakwet County - Tambach Museum , Homa Bay County - Abasuba Peace Museum , Kajiado County - Olorgesailie Museum, Kericho County - Fort Tenan Prehistoric Site , Kilifi County - The Gede Ruins, Malindi Museum , Rabai Cultural Landscape , Kisumu County - Kisumu Museum, Lamu County - German Post Office , Lamu Museum , Takwa Ruins, Marsabit County - Desert Museum, Koobi Fora Museum, Meru County - Meru Museum , Njuri Ncheke Museum , Migori County - Thimlich Ohinga, Mombasa County - Fort Jesus Museum , Nairobi County - Karen Blixen Museum, Judiciary Museum, Railway Museum, Nairobi National Museum, Nakuru County - Kariandusi Museum, Hyrax Hill Museum, Nandi County - Koitalel Arap Samoei Museum , Narok County - Narok Museum, Nyeri County - Nyeri Museum, Paxtu House, Samburu County - Kenyatta House Maralal , Trans Nzoia County - Kitale Museum , Wajir County - Wajir Museum , West Pokot County - Kapenguria Museum

Privately Run Museums Around Kenya: Rhodia Mann Museum, Treasures of Africa, The Adamson's Museum, Taita Hills Museum , African Heritage House, Rev. Wray Museum , Maa Museum Enashipai Resort, Swahili House Museum Lamu , Museum of Illusions, Kapkatet Kipsigis Cultural Museum , The Gikuyu Museum, Memorial Peace Museum

Lamu County is one of Kenya’s most unique and enchanting regions, known for its rich Swahili culture, pristine beaches, and UNESCO-listed heritage. Located on the northern coast of Kenya, it consists of a group of islands (Lamu, Manda, Pate, and Kiwayu) and a stretch of mainland coastline. Lamu Island in particular is more than just a destination—it’s a living piece of Swahili history and coastal paradise.

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Explore Destinations Nearby Lamu Museum

A Guide to Lamu County

A Summa Digest of Lamu

About Lamu Way Back When

70 Destinations in Lamu County , arranged as one would visit these - west, south, north then west - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Delta Dunes Lodge , Lake Moa , Old Town Witu , Witu Forest Reserve , Pangani Swamp, Lake Kiboko , Amu Ranch , Lake Amu, Kipini Conservancy , Lake Kenyatta , Amu Baharini Beach, Kizuke Beach , Lamu (Manda) Port , Red Pepper House , Lamu Island , Matondoni Dau Workshop , Matondoni Ruins , Tusitiri Dhow , Kipungani Ruins , Kizingoni Beach , Old Town Lamu, Lamu World Heritage Sector , Lamu Museum , The Swahili House Museum , German Post Office Museum , Lamu Fort , Lamu Market , Masjid Khoja Ithnasheri , Masjid Riyadha , House of Habib Swaleh , The Mosque College Lamu , Lamu Catholic Church , Tamarind Tree Cafe , Donkey Sanctuary , The Floating Bar , Boat Rides , MaraRaha , Kijani Hotel , Shela Village , Friday Masjid , Forodhani House , Peponi Hotel , Shela Beach , Bahari Restaurant , Fort at Shela , Ras Kitau , Diamond Village , The Maljis , Takwa Ruins , Manda Island , Manda Lodge , Manda Toto , Manda Coral Quarry , Nabahani Ruins , Pate Island , Shanga Ruins , Siyu Fort , Shindamweh, Atu Ruins , Chundwa Ruins , Faza Village , Lamu Monuments , Mangrove Forests , Dodori National Reserve , Kiunga Marine N. Reserve , Kiwayu Island , Ashuwei , Boni Forest National Reserve , Ishakani Ruins , Lamu Festivals

Know More About Lamu County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

What’s The Air Like In Lamu?

Lamu County lies along the Equatorial Climate System, enjoying two rainy seasons and temperatures between 24°C and 30°C year round – Hottest in December & April

What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.05?

Lamu is composed of a coastal zone of 65 islands, vast creeks, bays, sand bars and mangrove. Among these, Lamu Island, hosting Lamu Town, is the bussiest. The mainland is flat to undulating.

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