Walking Tour, Central Maputo

I got out for a bit in Central Maputo today using the self-guided walking tour in the Lonely Planet guide (p.63). The driver left me off at the fortaleza (old fort), built by the Portuguese in the mid 1800's. The most impressive thing on the central grounds is a statue of Mousinho de Albuquerque, Comandante de cavalaria.

[Click on any photo to view a larger image]

Otherwise, I was more interested in the lizards, than the crumbling cannons and shells.

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Next I passed the Jumma Masjid, a relatively new mosque. Later, when I looped back around, I could hear the call to prayers.

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The dome of the Caminho dos Ferros de Mocambique (CFM) was designed by an associate of Eiffel (of tower fame). It's still an active train station, but apparently the service is very infrequent.

The interior of the train station has two nice verandas, with iron lacework.

I walked past, but did not enter, theMercado Municipal (Municipal Market).

I walked through, but didn't take any pictures the Jardim Tunduru (Botanical Garden), described by the guidebook as "overgrown."

Walking up the hill, I came to the Praca da Independencia (Independence Square), with a sculpture in the central roundabout.

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On the far side of the square is the Conselho Municipal building (City Council).

Just off the square, is the Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Conceicao (Our Lady of the Conception). Which was reflected nicely in a glass building across the street (see below).

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A reflection of your intrepid photographer, with the Jardim Tunduru in the background.

On the way back down the hill, I passed the Supreme Court, while walking down Avenida Vladimir Lenine. Actually, there are quite a few streets named for revolutionary leaders (e.g. Lenin, Mao Tse Tung, Ho Chi Min).

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Finally, I passed what's refered to as Trinta e tres andares (33-Story Building). I'm assuming, but haven't confirmed that this is the tallest building in Mozambique.

After that, I trecked back to my abode, with a brief stop for curried shrimp and a beer along the way.