Kanisa Kuu la Mt. Yosefu (St.Joseph Cathedral Dar es Salaam) — Attraction in Dar es-Salaam

Historic Gothic-style cathedral, built by the Germans during colonial time. This church is the seat of the archdiocese of Dar es Salaam.

It has gorgeous stained glass windows across the sides and behind the altar, which in itself is remarkable... and quite a sight especially when the late afternoon/evening sun shines through. Within it's tall steeple/bell tower is a still-functional bell. During the Sunday masses, there are beautiful choirs singing at each Kiswahili or English masses.

What is disappointing, however, is the once beautiful garden that stood across from the main Cathedral building and adjacent to the Perpetual Adoration Chapel have been replaced by 2 more glass and concrete structures, rather than maintaining the garden and working the prayer areas around the said garden.

If you want a peaceful place to spend time contemplating the mysteries of life or for silent prayer, among the hustle and bustle of Tanzania's busy economic capital - St. Joseph's Cathedral may just be the place...

Cool place for prayers. On week days there three masses per day. Morning, afternoon and evening. On Thursday evening there is benediction. On Saturday evening there is holy rosary and confession.

There is a small chapel in there, there is holy Eucharist. The place is so cool for meditation and personal prayers, and it's open through out the day.

There is perfect sea breeze from the ocean. (Prayer with a breeze, so perfect).

Out side the cathedral premises in the south (where the main gate is) there is sokoine drive and across it there is Zanzibar ferry terminal. East there is st. Joseph's millenium high school and Catholic book store, where you can get plenty of religious books, spiritual books, philosophical books and much more but not curriculum texts for secondary schools.

The place is...

It was a fabulous experience to visit this church that is so soothing and serene. Especially compared to the chaos of the Ferry terminal area just outside.

The church is beautiful both artistically and in its positive energy.

The nuns who were constantly cleaning the place, were so helpful, kind and welcoming. Such a difference from the superciliously rude lady at the Lutheran church who shouted me out of the church.

I was able to visit in silence, pray in peace inside the church and the 2 open air chapels outside too (Blessed Eucharist...