St Joseph’s Cathedral

St Joseph's Metropolitan Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam and one of the most recognisable buildings on the harbour front. German missionaries built it between 1897 and 1902, during the period when Dar es Salaam was the capital of German East Africa, and it was consecrated in 1905.

The church is built in a Gothic style, with a tall spired tower that rises above the low buildings of Sokoine Drive and is clearly visible from the water. Inside, the highlight is the stained glass behind the altar. Visitors also look out for original German inscriptions and artwork that survive from the colonial period. The White Fathers' House, another German-era building, stands close by, and State House, built in the late 1890s as the German governor's residence and rebuilt by the British in 1922, lies further east along the shore; it is the president's residence and is not open to visitors.

This is a working cathedral rather than a museum, and it is busiest on Sundays, when morning services with the choir are a highlight for visitors. Attending a service is the best way to see the building in use, but if you prefer to look around quietly, go on a weekday morning and avoid service times. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, keep your voice down and ask before photographing people.

The cathedral suits anyone interested in architecture or the colonial history of the city, and it takes around twenty to thirty minutes to see. It is best combined with the other German-era landmarks nearby. Azania Front Lutheran Church, built in 1898, is a short walk east along the waterfront; the Askari Monument stands a few blocks inland; and the Kivukoni waterfront and the ferry terminal for Kigamboni are just beyond. Further along, the National Museum and the Botanical Gardens complete a morning on foot.

Sokoine Drive is in the heart of the old city, close to the main city centre hotels, so most visitors can walk or take a short taxi or bajaj ride. Traffic can be heavy on weekdays, and the pavements are uneven in places, so allow extra time and carry water. Late afternoon is a good moment for photographs of the facade with the harbour behind it.