PHOTOS: This Historic City Was Once The Thriving Center Of The Spice And Slave Trades In Zanzibar

Zanzibar, which is part of Tanzania, sits about 20 miles off the coast of eastern Africa.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

The population of Zanzibar, which consists of a main island and several smaller islands, is under a million people.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

The heart of the island is Stone Town, the historic center of Zanzibar City.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

In the 19th century, it flourished as a center of the spice and slave trades.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

Most of the city's architecture dates back to the 19th century, and it reflects a unique mix of Arab, Persian, Indian and European influences.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

For Röhrig, a photographer, the most incredible part of his 2009 trip to Zanzibar was walking the streets of Stone Town.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

He said he found the "most stunning subject matters, people, cultural elements, to document."

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

"It made the experience of the trip so much richer and exciting," he said. "The beach alone would have probably just bored me after a day."

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

The city's narrow streets are lined with houses, shops, bazaars and mosques.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

Often, the alleyways are too small for cars, and many people transverse the city on bikes and motorcycles.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

The Peace Memorial is one of Stone Town's many historic buildings.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

Despite their UNESCO designation, many of the buildings are deteriorating.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

Today, Zanzibar's economy thrives on spices and tourism.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

Röhrig snapped this photo of a spice vendor at the market place in Stone Town.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

The market is one of the most vibrant parts of the old city.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

From the looks of it, nearly every type of fruit and spice can be found there.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

Even halfway across the world, there are signs of American influence.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

Stone Town sits close to the city's harbor.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

Fishermen head out in boats called dhows, and return with their catches.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

Cows also wander the beach--a strange sight.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

There's a market by the harbor where fishermen gather.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

And sell their fish to the crowds.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

Of course, the beach is a popular destination for Zanzibar's other major export--tourism.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

Röhrig calls this the "floating Italian meat market."

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

And just like that, it's time to go.

Reprinted with permission from Gregor Röhrig

Now take another voyage.

David Boudreau

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