27/05/2026
Did you know that a fort built over 400 years ago on the Kenyan coast changed hands nine times and survived one of history's longest sieges?
Fort Jesus was constructed in Mombasa between 1593 and 1596 by the Portuguese to control Indian Ocean trade routes. Designed by Italian architect Giovanni Battista Cairati, its walls have witnessed centuries of conflict between the Portuguese, Omani Arabs, and local clans. The most dramatic chapter came in 1696, when Omani forces besieged the fort for nearly three years β the garrison eventually falling in 1698 after plague and starvation wiped out almost all defenders.
Later used as a British colonial prison, Fort Jesus was finally transformed into a museum in 1958 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. Today it stands as Mombasa's most iconic landmark, telling the story of the many civilizations that shaped the East African coast.
π Visiting Fort Jesus? Ride with MetroLink Cabs Mombasa!
Make your Mombasa experience seamless from start to finish. MetroLink Cabs is your trusted travel partner on the coast β offering safe, comfortable, and affordable rides across Mombasa and beyond.
π Door-to-door pickup β from your hotel, airport, or anywhere in Mombasa
π Available 24/7 β day trips, night rides, airport transfers
ποΈ Explore the Coast β Fort Jesus, Nyali Beach, Old Town, Mtwapa & more
πΌ Corporate & tour packages available
β
Professional, vetted drivers you can trust
Discover Mombasa the smart way β book MetroLink Cabs today!
π 0728 330339 Call or WhatsApp us to book your ride