Architectural Digest, the globe’s premier architecture magazine, has prominently featured Kenya’s Lamu village among its selection of the 13 most splendid villages in the world.
Lamu village, situated on an island that shares its name, stands as the oldest Swahili settlement in East Africa.
Architectural Digest categorically stated that the Island incorporates a blend of Swahili, Arabic, European, Indian and Persian cultures to its modest means of life.
Furthermore, the eponymous port town is known for having narrow streets and roads.
Consequently, if you’re considering a visit, bear in mind that cars are not the primary mode of transportation; instead, donkeys are the most commonly used means of getting around
“Because of the narrow, winding roads, cars are a rarity, so be prepared to travel by motorbike or on one of the island’s more than 6,000 donkeys,” AD wrote in their piece.
Lamu village is also home to Lamu Fort which was built in the early 19th century.
Inside Kenya’s village where men are not allowed
“Visit Lamu Fort, a fortress built between 1810 and 1823, which now houses a library and exhibition space, as well as the Lamu Museum, located in a former home built in the early 1900s.”
In the year 2001, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Lamu village as a World Heritage Site.
This achievement was significantly influenced by the presence of numerous stunning mosques, bustling promenades, woodworking workshops, and, of course, the noteworthy population of over 6,000 donkeys.
“Lamu has hosted major Muslim religious festivals since the 19th century, and has become a significant centre for the study of Islamic and Swahili cultures,” UNESCO noted in a description of the island.
Being one of the most influential media platforms in the field of architecture, Architectural Digest boasts international editions published in various countries including China, Germany, India, France, Italy, the US and Spain.
The respected Interior Design magazine is the brainchild of American Business magnate Condé Montrose Nast who founded several top magazines worldwide.
They include Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, Vanity, Teen Vogue, Glamour, The New Yorker, Bon Appétit, WIRED and finally Architectural Digest.