Mogadishu: Shanghai Old City Area

Although it has been severely damaged by the ongoing civil war, the Shanghai Old City Area is still considered to be one of the major tourist attractions in Mogadishu. Shanghai Old City Area is located along the shore in South Mogadishu. During the years of Italian colonization (1920-1935), Old City was a place where Italian expatriate and the wealthiest spent most of their leisurely hours.

During the Second World War, Mogadishu was eventually captured and occupied by the British forces who operated from Kenya. Shanghai Old City for the most part was intact until 1990 when, during the civil war, rebel forces entered Mogadishu causing damage by the battles between clan based rebels.

Despite the conflicts, Old City is still an important landmark and can be considered an important attraction in Somalia. The Old City is known for its renowned beauty in architecture and as individual who appreciates this as well as history this opportunity may be the highlight of my trip.

                                                    Intricate Door, Mogadishu

"The inscription reads: يافتاح (Ya Fattah). The text is mirrored. Al-Fattah is one of the attributes of God and it means: He who opens all doors and eliminates obstacles. The first sura of the Qur'an is titled al-Fatiha, that is The Opening"-  Abdullahi Kassim

Shanghai Old City Architecture