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CulturalRef. 1055

Lamu Old Town

Cultural World Heritage property in Kenya, inscribed in 2001 under criteria (ii), (iv), (vi).

Lamu Old Town, Kenya
Photo: Justin Clements · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
AldabraBale Mountains National ParkBoma-Badingilo Migratory LandscapeBwindi Impenetrable National ParkChongoni Rock Art AreaFort Jesus MuseumGaramba National ParkHarar Jugol, the Fortified Historic TownIsland of MozambiqueKahuzi-Biéga National ParkKasubi TombsKenya Lake System in the Great Rift ValleyKilimanjaro National ParkKondoa Rock Art SitesKonso Cultural LandscapeLake Malawi National ParkLake Turkana National ParksLamu Old TownLower Valley of the AwashMana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari AreasManovo-Gounda St. Floris National ParkMelka KuntureMount Kenya National ParkMulanje MassifNgorongoro Conservation AreaNyungwe ForestOkapi Wildlife ReserveOmo RiverRainforests of the AtsinananaRuins of GediRuins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo MnaraRwenzori Mountains National ParkSacred Mijikenda Kaya ForestsSalonga National ParkSelous Game ReserveSerengeti National ParkStone TownThe Gedeo Cultural LandscapeThe Medinas of the Historic Sultanates of the ComorosThimlich OhingaTiya archaeological siteVallée de MaiVirunga National Park2.284° S, 40.852° E
State Party
Kenya
Region
Africa
Year of inscription
2001
Criteria
iiivvi
Location
Lamu
What it is
neighborhood, urban area
Reference
WHC 1055 · Wikidata Q51100199

Why it is on the List

(ii)Shows a major exchange of ideas — in architecture, technology, art, town planning or landscape design — over time or across a cultural area.(iv)An outstanding example of a building type, ensemble or landscape that illustrates a significant stage in human history.(vi)Directly linked to events, living traditions, ideas, beliefs or artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance.
nearby

Closest World Heritage sites

Straight-line distance between the recorded coordinates.

Ruins of Gedi, Kenya147 kmRuins of GediKenya · 2024CulturalSacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests, Kenya230 kmSacred Mijikenda Kaya ForestsKenya · 2008CulturalFort Jesus Museum, Kenya237 kmFort Jesus MuseumKenya · 2011CulturalKilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania397 kmKilimanjaro National ParkTanzania · 1987NaturalMount Kenya National Park, Kenya459 kmMount Kenya National ParkKenya · 1997NaturalStone Town, Tanzania469 kmStone TownTanzania · 2000Cultural
Kenya

More sites in Kenya

All 8
2001

Also inscribed in 2001

All of 2001

Data: Wikidata (CC0) · danger list as published in 2026 · independent atlas, not affiliated with UNESCO or Petit Futé.