Gede

Gede is a historic Swahili town located near the coast in Kilifi County, southeastern Kenya, about 16 km south of Malindi. Founded in the 12th century by Bantu-speaking peoples as part of the Swahili civilization, it flourished as a prosperous trading town with connections to Arabia, India, China, and Persia before being abandoned in the 17th century. Today the Gede Ruins are a national monument and museum, featuring the remains of a mosque, palace, coral stone houses, and tombs, and are surrounded by a sacred forest that hosts rare birds and butterflies.