Historic Sites of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe’s history stretches from ancient stone kingdoms to colonial occupation to hard-won independence. Beyond the famous stone ruins, the country preserves important sites from the colonial era, the liberation struggle, and the journey to nationhood.
Living History - Many historic sites are still actively used, from working mission stations to government buildings. Zimbabwe’s history is not just preserved - it’s lived.
Historical Eras Pre-Colonial (Before 1890) Period Highlights Stone Age Rock art sites, early human occupation Great Zimbabwe Era (1100-1450)Stone cities, gold trade Mutapa Kingdom (1450-1760)Expanded empire, Portuguese contact Rozvi Empire (1684-1834)Khami, Naletale, Danangombe Ndebele Kingdom (1838-1893)Mzilikazi, Lobengula
Colonial Era (1890-1980) Period Key Events Pioneer Column (1890)BSAC occupation begins First Chimurenga (1896-97)First war of resistance Rhodesia (1923-1965)Self-governing colony UDI Period (1965-1979)Unilateral independence Second Chimurenga (1964-1979)Liberation war
Independence (1980-Present) Date Event April 18, 1980 Zimbabwe independence 1980s Nation building 2000s Land reform Present Modern Zimbabwe
Colonial Heritage Sites Harare
National Archives Repository of national documents, photographs, and records
Parliament Building Neo-classical architecture, still in use
High Court Colonial-era judicial building
Anglican Cathedral Historic church in city center
Notable Historic Buildings:
Meikles Hotel (1915) - Harare’s grand dame hotelJameson Hotel (1935) - Art Deco landmarkTown House - City council headquartersReserve Bank - Colonial banking architectureNational Gallery - Cultural institution
Bulawayo Bulawayo preserves more colonial architecture than any other Zimbabwean city:
Building Year Significance City Hall 1940 Art Deco masterpiece High Court 1938 Colonial justice system Chronicle Building 1894 Oldest newspaper building Railway Station 1901 Historic railway terminus National Museum 1901 Natural history collection
Railway Heritage:
Railway Museum - Historic locomotivesStation Building - Colonial architectureRailway workshops - Industrial heritage
Mutare
Mutare Museum - Regional historyHistoric Main Street - Colonial shopfrontsCecil Kop - Named for Cecil Rhodes
Mission Stations Christian missions played significant roles in Zimbabwe’s history, providing education and healthcare while also facilitating colonization.
Major Mission Stations Mission Founded Denomination Significance Inyati 1859 LMS Oldest church building in Zimbabwe Hope Fountain 1870 LMS Near Bulawayo Waddilove 1892 Methodist Important school Kutama 1914 Catholic Mission school (Robert Mugabe’s school) Mount Selinda 1893 UCCSA Eastern Highlands mission Morgenster 1891 Dutch Reformed Near Great Zimbabwe
Visiting Missions Many mission stations welcome visitors:
Historic church buildings
Schools still operating
Archives and records
Graveyards with early missionary graves
Some offer accommodation
Call ahead before visiting mission stations. Many are still active religious and educational institutions, not museums.
Liberation War Sites The Second Chimurenga (1964-1979) was fought across Zimbabwe. Several sites commemorate this struggle:
Heroes’ Acre (Harare) The national shrine honoring those who died in the liberation struggle.
Features:
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - Central memorialEternal Flame - Never extinguishedMurals - Depicting the struggleHeroes’ tombs - National heroes buried hereMuseum - Liberation war exhibits
Location 7 km west of Harare CBD Entry Fee $5 USD Hours 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Time Needed 1-2 hours
Chimoio Memorial (Mozambique Border) Commemoration of the 1977 Rhodesian attack on the ZANLA camp in Mozambique. Memorial visits can be arranged through tour operators.
Freedom Camp (Bindura) Site of a significant base during the liberation war.
Chitepo House (Lusaka, Zambia) Though in Zambia, the house where Herbert Chitepo (ZANU chairman) was assassinated in 1975 is a pilgrimage site for many Zimbabweans.
First Chimurenga Sites (1896-1897) Matobo Hills The Matobo Hills were central to the First Chimurenga:
Ntumbane/Indaba Site - Where Cecil Rhodes negotiated with Ndebele leadersCave hideouts - Used by resistance fightersWorld’s View - Cecil Rhodes burial site
Mazowe Area
Mazowe graves - Early settlers killed in uprisingVarious battle sites - Scattered through area
Nehanda/Kaguvi Execution Site The spiritual leaders Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi, who inspired the First Chimurenga, were executed in Harare (then Salisbury) in 1898. A statue of Nehanda now stands in the city.
Pioneer Era Sites Pioneer Trail The route taken by the Pioneer Column in 1890:
Stop Significance Fort Tuli Entry point into Zimbabwe Fort Victoria (Masvingo) First major settlement Fort Charter En route camp Fort Salisbury (Harare) Final destination
Early Settler Sites
Old Umtali - Original Mutare locationFort Usher - Near ChimanimaniPioneer Cemetery (Harare) - Early settler gravesCecil Square (renamed Africa Unity Square) - Heart of colonial Salisbury
Industrial Heritage Mining History Zimbabwe has a rich mining heritage:
Site Location Heritage Globe and Phoenix Mine Kwekwe Historic gold mine Wankie Colliery Hwange Coal mining history Selukwe Peak Shurugwi Mining town Mazowe Valley North of Harare Historic citrus and gold
Railway Heritage
Railway Museum (Bulawayo) - Historic locomotivesVictoria Falls Bridge - 1905 engineering marvelBeira Corridor - Historic trade route
Memorial Sites & Monuments National Monuments Monument Location Commemorates Heroes’ Acre Harare Liberation war Nyadzonya Memorial Near Mutare 1976 massacre Chimoio Memorial Various 1977 attack King Lobengula Memorial Bulawayo Ndebele king Pioneer Memorial Harare 1890 settlers
Statues and Memorials
Mbuya Nehanda Statue (Harare) - Liberation heroineJoshua Nkomo Statue (Bulawayo) - Father ZimbabweSamora Machel Statue (Harare) - Mozambican allyLobengula Statue (Bulawayo) - Last Ndebele king
Historic Towns Masvingo The oldest colonial settlement:
Fort Victoria ruins - Foundations of first fortChapel Street - Historic buildingsGreat Zimbabwe nearby
Kwekwe Gold mining heritage:
Globe and Phoenix Mine Mining museum Historic town center
Rusape
Diana’s Vow rock art Historic railway station Colonial era buildings
Visiting Historic Sites Best Approach
Context first - Visit museums before sitesHire guides - Local knowledge enriches visitsRespect sensitivities - Some sites are politically chargedTake time - History can’t be rushed
Recommended Museums Museum Location Focus National Museum Harare Overview of national history Natural History Museum Bulawayo Pre-colonial and natural National Archives Harare Documents and photographs Railway Museum Bulawayo Transport history Military Museum Gweru Military history
Suggested Itinerary: Zimbabwe History Tour Day 1-2: Harare
National Museum and Archives
Heroes’ Acre
Historic buildings walking tour
Mbuya Nehanda statue
Day 3: Masvingo
Great Zimbabwe (ancient history)
Morgenster Mission
Historic town
Day 4-5: Bulawayo
Natural History Museum
Railway Museum
Colonial architecture tour
Hope Fountain Mission
Day 6: Matobo Hills
World’s View (Rhodes grave)
Indaba site
Rock art
Day 7: Return Conservation and Controversy Historic sites in Zimbabwe can be politically sensitive. Be aware that:
Some colonial monuments have been removed or renamed
Liberation war narratives may be one-sided
Sacred sites require cultural sensitivity
Photography may be restricted at some locations
Complex History Zimbabwe’s history involves many perspectives - African kingdoms, colonial occupation, liberation struggle, and modern nation-building. The most meaningful visits engage with this complexity rather than oversimplifying.
Zimbabwe’s history stretches from ancient stone kingdoms to colonial occupation to hard-won independence. Beyond the famous stone ruins, the country preserves important sites from the colonial era, the liberation struggle, and the journey to nationhood.
The national shrine honoring those who died in the liberation struggle.
Features: