City history
Discover the historical transformation of Harare, from its establishment as Salisbury to its emergence as the capital of Zimbabwe.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Named after the city of Salisbury in England"
An indigenous name for the city is not reliably documented in urban historical records; it was first formally established as Salisbury.
English colonial namesake
The city served as the capital of Southern Rhodesia and later Rhodesia.
Shona clan name
Renamed to reflect the indigenous Shona heritage of the region.
Chapter two
The region moved toward standardized timekeeping using Central Africa Time (UTC+2).
Chapter three
The city was founded as a settlement for the British South Africa Company.
The nation gained independence, fundamentally changing the city's political landscape.
The city was officially renamed Harare to honor its indigenous roots.