Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral
The large white cathedral, also known as Nossa Senhora da Conceiço the cathedral or the demon’s cathedral, was constructed between the years 1930 and 1940 by Marcial Simes Freitas e Costa, a volunteer deputy director of the railways at the time. The building was a significant accomplishment for the Catholic Church at the time, which was still feeling the impacts of the Portuguese Revolution of 1910 and had a very small presence in Mozambique. During Pope Francis’ visit to Mozambique, this was one of the locations in the city where hundreds of people got the chance to see him (3rd to 6th September, 2019).
Ancient Town Hall
Aranaldo Pacheco Pereira Leite, Franz Keindl, and Carlos César dos Santos planned and constructed the town hall in the 1940s. The words “Aqui é Portugal”—this is Portugal—were once carved into the Lisbon-style pavement in front of it by president Américo Tomás during a 1964 visit to Mozambique.
There used to be an equestrian statue of Mousinho de Albulquerque in place of the current Samora Machel statue (now in the fort). The structure, together with the cathedral, served as the symbol of Portuguese Mozambique’s pride. We have lovely replicas of the ancient Lourenço Marques (modern-day Maputo) within, along with a lovely viewing hall.
Independencia Plaza
Samora Machel Statue, a bronze sculpture, is situated in the middle of Praça da Independência. It is the nation’s first president. The statue honours Samora Machel (1933–1986), a military leader and revolutionary who served as Mozambique’s first president. The Mansudae Overseas Projects, a division of the Mansudae Art Studio, created and erected the statue in Pyongyang, North Korea.
Center for Franco-Mozambican Culture
With numerous cultural events, the French Mozambican Cultural Center is currently one of the busiest cultural venues in the city (live music, photo expositions, ect). Dr. Eduardo de Almeida Saldanha initially constructed the structure in 1989 (the same year Lourenço Marques was named the capital of Mozambique) as a social club and casino. Wells Inc. of Lourenço Marques served as the architects, and Rochelle & Smith of Johannesburg served as the builders. Scotland was the source of the imported ironwork. Saldanha’s ambitious ambitions were abandoned because the concession for a casino was not made. He sold the structure to two Englishmen in 1906, and they turned it into the renowned “Hotel Clube.” It was expanded in 1917, and a 50-room addition was constructed.
Botanical Gardens of Tunduru
One of Maputo‘s most picturesque and lush areas is the Tunduro Garden. If you take the trip on Saturday, it will be even more interesting because there will be many wedding celebrations taking place that day. There will be lots of dancing, singing, and joy. But the large fruit bats will be present for you regardless of the day you do the tour (a bit of safari in the city). Vasco da Gama was the name of the garden before independence as a tribute to the Portuguese explorer; however, immediately following independence, the name changed, just like the names of the city, avenues, etc (we will explain to you during the tour the reason why we had all these changes).
Downtown Market
David Carvalho constructed Maputo’s best market in 1901 using Belgian-imported iron materials. It is the best market in terms of freshness and cleanliness. If you want to buy ingredients for a recipe that is uniquely Mozambican, come here. You may buy here. Cassava leaves are used to produce the renowned Matapa with prawns, and you can even ask the women for cooking advice. The best cuisine is available in Mozambique, which draws inspiration from its unique and rich past.
Utilizing local products and cooking techniques, influences from the Arab, Portuguese, Chinese, British, and Indian cuisines have all been included. Mozambique’s cuisine has been strongly influenced by Portuguese cuisine, including the starchy root mandioca from Brazil, cashews from Brazil, and bread. Using ingredients like “piri piri” chillies, onions, garlic, sweet peppers, bay leaves, lemons, fresh coriander, paprika, and cinnamon with wine (also introduced by the Portuguese)
Maputo Fortress
Nossa Senhora da Conceiço Fortaleza, as it is also known, was first constructed in 1787 out of wood. The stone seaward wall was constructed in 1811. According to a plan from 1851, the fortress was now entirely composed of stone. It was partially rebuilt and partially renovated in accordance with Joaquim Ariel Silva’s 1945 proposal for the Direcço de Monumentos Nacionais. Inauguration of the entire project took place in 1956. The connecting wall and its two battlements are largely original.
Numerous remnants from forts across the nation, including the demolished Sofala fort, cannons, and other historical items may be found inside. The remains of Ngungunhana, King of Gaza, who passed away in 1906, are housed in a coffin carved by Paulo Come, together with a statue of his Victor Mouzinho de Albulquerque, who unfortunately passed away even earlier, in 1902, by his own hand.
His statue was first placed in front of the Municipal Council in the 1940s (where we see the statue of Samora Machel today). The artist was Leopoldo Simoes e Almeida. A statue of António Enes by Teixeira Lopes is also there; it was formerly located in the square in front of the fort.
