In the heart of Stone Town is a beautifully restored hotel that once was the home of one of the richest men in the Swahili Empire – Mr ThariaTopan who served as the principal financial advisor to Sultan Bargash, and who also served as the Head of Customs in Zanzibar.
The house was reputedly constructed by Tharia Topan in the 1870s at a location and height from which he could obtain a clear view of the ocean and watch his vessels and precious cargo arrive in the nearby port of Malindi. The top of the building reaches a height of 80 ft and now houses the restaurant of Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel whilst still commanding a magnificent view of the Indian Ocean and the jumble of rooftops, tea houses, mosques and spires which make up the bird's eye view of Stone Town.
The floor beneath the restaurant houses 3 rooms, as well as the bar and Roshani, the private dining room. In homage to Tharia Topan’s activities as a customs official, the rooms on this floor are named after a compass direction – a practice which is not uncommon in Swahili homes.
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