The Great Zimbabwe

They say you haven't really been to Zimbabwe until you've seen the ruins. Construction started on the ruins in the 11th century and besides the pyramids of Egypt it is the largest free standing structure in the world (my understanding). It was a great kingdom back then and an important trading/commerce post. No mortar was used and those who helped build it would carry rock from far distances to shave down and use like brick. It took centuries to complete and in the end three distinct parts were complete; The Hill Complex, The Valley Complex and the Great Enclosure. I was absolutely blown away by the complexity, size and sheer beauty of it! One thing that I really enjoyed was the placement of the Hill Complex in the natural rock formations of the land. It is nothing like I've ever seen before!

Kevin & Auntie Phillipa!

Our tour guide.

The entrance to the Hill Complex. This is where the king would live (high up in the hills). People would camp out here for years waiting on the chance to visit the king.

Stairs walking up to the Hill Complex.

View of the Village Complex (where all of the rest of the people would live), including the King's 200 wives!

The outside of the Hill Complex.

The entrance to the Hill Complex.

Amy in the entrance.

Inside the Complex.

Can you see Amy in this photo?

A view of the Great Enclosure from the Hill Complex. The Enclosure is where the school was.

Because of it's great acoustics the king would sit in this cave and look down at the Village to call for which wife he wanted that evening. Kevin had to try it out.

This was the court room. The "jury"would sit along this wall and listen to the trial.

The King would stand at the top of this court room.

Amazing natural rock formations!

In front of the Great Enclosure.

The design at the top of the wall of the Great Enclosure is commonly associated with Zimbabwe. It is a symbol of fertility.

Some of the walls still stand over 15 meters tall!

In the Great Enclosure on the "boys" side. This is where young men would learn how to be a good husband.

This is the woman's side where the young girls would learn the same- how to be a good wife.

These 4 rocks represent the 4 seasons and how the sunlight reflects off of them helped the people know what season it was.