Great Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe is the greatest medieval city in sub-Saharan Africa and provides evidence that ancient Africa reached a level of civilization not suspected by earlier scholars. As a religious and temporal capital, this city of 10,000 to 20,000 dominated a realm that stretched across eastern Zimbabwe and into modern-day Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa. The name is believed to come from one of two possible Shona origins; dzimba dza mabwe (great stone houses) or dzimba woye (esteemed houses). The grand setting and history-soaked walls certainly qualify as a highlight of Southern Africa.

This was the king's view looking down over the valley below. Within this photo you can see the Valley Complex (the scattered ruins in the foreground) and the Great Enclosure (the more impressive structure) at the base of the hill.

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• Zimbabwe
• ruins