Overview:

is a major tourist attraction in Kano. Built in the 15th century, the city walls and gates form a defensive structure used to protect the ancient city of Kano. The impressive architecture of the walls have remained unchanged over centuries and comprise of eleven gates and numerous battlements and towers. Each gate has a distinctive name and is guarded by ancient warriors providing a unique insight into the history of Kano. The attractions of Kano State, Nigeria also include its vibrant culture, rich history, and diverse population. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Nigeria
Prominent Features:

The Kano City Walls and Gates are some of the most prominent features in the Kano State of Nigeria. They are among the oldest and largest surviving city walls in Africa, constructed in the 11th century and still standing today. The walls stretch for an impressive 10 kilometers around the city, with 10 major gates through which to enter and exit. The walls served both as a physical barrier from outside forces and as a symbol of strength and security for those on the inside. Inside the walls, the city streets are divided into four distinct quarters or wards, and the walls also feature defensive towers and two royal palaces. Despite being a center of trade and culture in the 11th century, the Kano City Walls and Gates still today remain an important cultural site and symbol of the city's history and traditions. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Nigeria.

History:

Situated about an hour’s drive from the capital of Abuja, Kano is the second largest city in Nigeria and the largest in the North. Kano is also known as the ‘Centre of Islamic Culture in Nigeria’ and as such, is one of the oldest cities in the North. The history of Kano City Walls and Gates dates back to the 14th century when Kano was first formed. The walls and gates were initially constructed to keep out external influences, particularly the influence of the Fulani people who were a major military power in the region at the time. The walls and gates were designed to be a physical barrier that could protect the city from potential invasion or attack. Kano City Walls and Gates are some of the best-preserved walls in Nigeria. The gates and walls were largely constructed from stone and mud, and at their peak, the city's walls were up to 36 feet high and neared 8 kilometers in circumference. The walls and gates were originally made out of thick mud but were later reinforced with stone. The gates and walls were adorned with towers and some of the buildings had intricate designs which can still be seen today. Despite the walls and gates, Kano City was eventually conquered by a Fulani force in 1805 and Kano eventually became part of the Fulani Empire. Nevertheless, the walls and gates of Kano have stood the test of time and still remain as impressive as ever. Visit one of the famous monuments of Nigeria with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Built in the 10th century, the Kano City Walls and Gates are the oldest city walls in West Africa and the only remaining relic of the capital of the former Habe Kingdom of Kano. 2. The walls were constructed using materials such as mud grass, stones and wood. They measure more than 10 kilometers in circumference and they reached as high as 15 meters at their peak. 3. The city walls contain over 14 gates which were used for defense. The largest of the gates was known as Dandal Kataf, which translates to “the largest doorway” in the native language of the Habe people. 4. The walls and gates were largely destroyed by the British during their colonization of Nigeria in the late 19th century. However, they were restored to their former glory in 2000. 5. Today, the walls and gates serve as a reminder of Kano’s rich history and are a major tourist attraction. They are included in UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites. One of the historical monuments of Nigeria, it tells the story of a bygone era