This photo story showcases the Hill Complex of Great Zimbabwe, perched atop a granite outcrop. It is the oldest part of Great Zimbabwe — an ancient city that once served as the spiritual and political heart of a powerful African kingdom between the 11th and 15th centuries.

As we ascend the narrow stone paths, the dry-stone walls rise with remarkable precision, built without mortar, yet standing strong for centuries. These winding corridors and terraces are more than just architecture; they were symbols of authority, ritual, and deep cultural identity.

Each image in this gallery reveals a different layer of the Hill Complex: elevated vantage points with sweeping views of the valley below, small enclosures believed to be ritual spaces, and intricate stonework that tells a story of power, belief, and community.

This is not just a ruin — it’s a monument to innovation and resilience. The Hill Complex reminds us that Great Zimbabwe was never a lost city, but a living legacy of African civilisation, whose echoes still speak through stone.
Great Zimbabwe was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.