Attraction
Stone Town
Zanzibar's historic Swahili trading town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, packed into 96 hectares of coral-stone houses, carved doors and winding lanes.
St Joseph’s Cathedral
Twin-spired Roman Catholic cathedral built by French missionaries in the 1890s and modelled on Marseille Cathedral, tucked into the lanes of Baghani.
At a glance
- Type
- Roman Catholic cathedral
- Area
- Baghani, Stone Town, Zanzibar City, Tanzania
Good to know
- Free entry
- Sunday masses
Why we recommend it
St Joseph's Cathedral is Stone Town's Roman Catholic cathedral, and its twin spires are one of the easiest landmarks to spot above the rooftops. It was built by French missionaries between 1893 and 1898, and its design was based on the cathedral in Marseille, although the Zanzibar church is much smaller. It sits in the Baghani area, reached from Kenyatta Road by turning into Gizenga Street and then taking the first street on the right.
Inside, the stained glass windows and tiles were imported from France. The interior was once painted with Old Testament scenes, but these were lost during a poorly handled restoration in 2014, so today the church is plainer than older guidebooks suggest. It remains a working church, with several masses each Sunday and occasional weekday services. UNESCO's description of the Stone Town World Heritage Site names St Joseph's among the old town's key buildings, alongside the Old Fort, the Old Dispensary and Christ Church Cathedral, and it is a reminder of the European missionary presence that sat alongside the town's Muslim, Hindu and Anglican communities.
Altezza Travel's 2026 Stone Town guide lists entry as free, with a small donation sometimes requested, and gives Sunday service times of 07:00, 09:00 and 18:00. The same guide notes that access to the bell tower depends on asking an attendant. Times can change, so check on the day, and avoid wandering around during a service.
A visit takes 15 to 30 minutes and fits easily into a walk through the old town. It suits anyone interested in architecture or the religious history of Zanzibar, and it is a calm, shaded stop in the middle of a hot day. Dress as you would for any place of worship, with shoulders and knees covered. The surrounding lanes are narrow, so the facade is easiest to photograph from the alleys nearby rather than from directly in front.
St Joseph's is close to the heart of Stone Town. Kenyatta Road and Gizenga Street, with their shops and cafes, are a minute or two away, Jafferji House is on Gizenga Street, and the Shangani waterfront and the Freddie Mercury Museum are a short walk away.
St Joseph’s Cathedral FAQs
When was St Joseph's Cathedral built?
French missionaries built it between 1893 and 1898.
What was the design based on?
It was modelled on the cathedral in Marseille, though it is much smaller.
Is it free to visit?
Altezza Travel's 2026 guide lists entry as free, with a small donation sometimes requested.
When are services held?
There are several masses each Sunday; Altezza Travel lists 07:00, 09:00 and 18:00.
Can you climb the bell tower?
Access depends on asking an attendant on the day.
How do you find it?
From Kenyatta Road take Gizenga Street, then the first street on the right.
What should you wear?
Cover shoulders and knees, as it is a working church.
Are the original frescoes still visible?
No. The Old Testament paintings were lost during a poorly handled restoration in 2014.