freddie mercury house zanzibar
The Freddie Mercury House Zanzibar is the iconic site where the legendary singer Queen was born on September 5, 1946. Exactly where Freddie Mercury was born: Shangani Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar - Modest two-storey British-Swahili colonial architecture building where Farrokh Bulsara (real name) lived until 1952 before moving to India with Zoroastrian Parsi family. The Freddie Mercury house Zanzibar today is a private home NOT visitable inside, but outside has a commemorative plaque being a popular stop for Queen fans. At 100 meters there is Mercury's Restaurant & Bar - themed establishment with Queen memorabilia, constant music, ocean view terrace. This guide explains exact location, how to visit and related sites.
Exact location where Freddie Mercury was born
Precise address Freddie Mercury house Zanzibar
Birthplace:
- Address: Shangani Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar
- Coordinates: 6.1636° S, 39.1855° E
- Location: Shangani Neighborhood, 200 meters south Forodhani Gardens
Identification: Modest two-story building, cream/white color, small wooden balcony, commemorative plaque on wall saying "Birthplace of Farrokh Bulsara (Freddie Mercury) 1946".
Important: Casa es private residence currently inhabited. NOT visitable inside, only exterior photography from the street respectfully.
How to get to Freddie Mercury house Zanzibar
From Forodhani GardensWalk south on Kenyatta Road 5 minutes, turn left Shangani Street, house half way down the street on the right side.
Stone Town Taxi5,000-10,000 TZS (2-4 USD) from any point - drivers know "Freddie Mercury house".
Walking tourMost guided Stone Town tours include an outdoor stop (15-30 USD, 2-3 hours).
History Bulsara family home of Freddie Mercury Zanzibar
Zanzibar Childhood
Farrokh Bulsara born 5 September 1946 in this house. Father Bomi Bulsara was a British Colonial Office cashier, mother Jer Bulsara a housewife.
Parsi familyZoroastrianism (ancient Persian religion): Indian/Iranian minority ethnic group practicing Zoroastrianism (ancient Persian religion). Small Parsi community of Zanzibar pre-Revolution 1964.
Childhood (1946-1952)Freddie lived here for the first 6 years. Family moved in Bombay (Mumbai), India 1952 where he attended boarding school at St. Peter's School.
1964Zanzibar Revolution overthrew Arab sultanate, violence against minorities. Bulsara family fled to England. Freddie never returned to Zanzibar.
Architecture of the house where he was born
Style: British-Swahili colonial mix typical of Stone Town - coral stone walls, wooden balcony, tall windows.
Current conditionRenovations for decades but maintains original structure. Inhabited by local Zanzibari family.
Commemorative plaqueInstalled in the 1990s in recognition of the historic site.
Visit Freddie Mercury Zanzibar house today
What you can do
Exterior photographyAllowed from the street respectfully. DO NOT knock, DO NOT attempt to enter.
Commemorative plaqueRead inscription, take photo.
Duration of visit: 5-10 minutes (outdoor only).
Mercury's Restaurant & Bar
LocationKenyatta Road, 100 meters north of the house where he was born, facing the sea.
What is: Queen themed bar/restaurant opened 2018, dedicated his legacy.
What it offers:
- Queen Memorabilia: Photos, posters, lyrics, songs, etc.
- Constant Queen music
- Sea view terrace
- Food/drinks
PricesBeer 5,000-8,000 TZS (2-3 USD), meals 15,000-30,000 TZS (6-12 USD).
Schedule: 10:00-23:00 daily.
Experience: Perfect place to relax after visiting Freddie's birthplace, listen to Freddie's music.
Freddie Mercury Monument
Location: Small statue/bust unveiled 2018 near Mercury's Restaurant.
ControversyInstallation: Installation generated debate Zanzibar conservative Muslim for sexual orientation Freddie, but finally accepted as recognition musical legacy.
Zanzibar influence on music where Freddie Mercury was born
Formative cultural diversity
Multicultural Zanzibar: African (Swahili), Arab, Indian, Persian, European melting pot cultures molded young Freddie's perspective.
Parsi Zoroastrian family: Religious minority taught acceptance of diversity, being different.
Cosmopolitan Stone TownBustling markets, multiple languages, varied music created a creative atmosphere.
Zanzibari elements in his music
Experimentation genres: Ability to mix rock, opera, pop reflects cultural diversity Zanzibar.
TheatricalityDramatic stage performance can be traced to rich island cultural influences.
Acceptance of diversityInclusive lettering, breaking barriers - learned values multicultural Parsi community.
NoteFreddie rarely spoke publicly about Zanzibar (he left age 6, Revolution 1964 trauma), but biographers argue formative years were crucial artistic development.
Frequently asked questions Freddie Mercury Zanzibar house
Where is Freddie Mercury's house in Zanzibar and can you visit inside?
The Freddie Mercury Zanzibar House is in Shangani Street, Stone Town (coordinates 6.1636° S, 39.1855° E), modest two-story building 200 meters south Forodhani Gardens where Freddie Mercury was born September 5, 1946. It is NOT possible to visit the inside because it is private residence inhabited by local family, but you can photograph outside respectfully from the street where there are commemorative plaque saying "Birthplace of Farrokh Bulsara (Freddie Mercury) 1946". How to get thereWalk 5 minutes south from Forodhani Gardens along Kenyatta Road, turn left onto Shangani Street; or cab Stone Town 5,000-10,000 TZS (2-4 USD). Complete experience: After visiting birthplace (5-10 minutes photo), walk 100 meters north to Mercury's Restaurant & Bar (Kenyatta Road) - Queen themed establishment with memorabilia, constant music, sea view terrace (beers 5,000-8,000 TZS, meals 15,000-30,000 TZS). According to BBCthe Freddie Mercury house Zanzibar has become a pilgrimage site for Queen fans.
Where was Freddie Mercury born and when did he live in Zanzibar?
Where Freddie Mercury was born: Born Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania the September 5, 1946 by name Farrokh Bulsara at Freddie Mercury Zanzibar House Shangani Street. Family was parsi (minority ethnic group practicing Zoroastrianism) - father Bomi Bulsara worked as a British Colonial Office cashier, mother Jer Bulsara was a housewife. How long did you liveFreddie lived first 6 years of life (1946-1952) before family moved Bombay (Mumbai), India where he attended boarding school at St. Peter's School. 1964Zanzibar revolution with violence against minorities, Bulsara family fled to England settling in Feltham near London where Freddie eventually formed Queen 1970. Zanzibar is backNO, never returned (left age 6, Revolution trauma), rarely spoke publicly about island but biographers argue formative years were crucial artistic development. According to The Guardian, casa di Freddie Mercury Zanzibar today is a fan pilgrimage site honoring the legacy of an artist who "was born in Africa, grew up in India, conquered the world from England".
How did Zanzibar influence Freddie Mercury's music?
Although Freddie left Zanzibar at the age of 6, biographers argue that where Freddie Mercury was born had a crucial formative influence. Cultural diversity ZanzibarStone Town was a melting pot of African (Swahili), Arab, Indian, Persian, European cultures with bustling markets, multiple languages, varied music creating a cosmopolitan atmosphere that shaped perspective on diversity acceptance. Parsi Zoroastrian familyAs a religious minority taught him to be different, celebrate unique identity, break conventions - values reflected in Queen's inclusive lyrics and theatrical performance. Experimentation genresThe ability to mix rock, opera, pop, ballads (Bohemian Rhapsody fusing impossible genres) can be traced back to Zanzibar cultural diversity where boundaries between styles were fluid. Stage theatricalityIconic dramatic performance: Some biographers suggest influenced by colorful cultural celebrations, traditional Zanzibar dance. According to Rolling Stonealthough Freddie rarely talked about Freddie Mercury Zanzibar House (trauma Revolución), formative years island were "unnoticed seed that grew into the most spectacular rock musical tree".