Zimbabwe is home to the Khami Ruins, a former capital of the Torwa dynasty.
Khami lies west of Bulawayo in southwestern Zimbabwe. It became the capital of the Torwa dynasty after the decline of Great Zimbabwe, another major stone-built centre in the region. The settlement is known for carefully constructed stone walls, terraces, platforms, and decorated wall patterns.
The site’s dry-stone architecture reflects the broader building traditions of southern Africa, but Khami has its own distinctive features. Builders used coursed stonework and created raised platforms that helped organize residential, royal, and ceremonial spaces. Archaeological discoveries, including imported ceramics and glass objects, show that Khami participated in long-distance trade.
Khami Ruins National Monument was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986. It is sometimes overshadowed by Great Zimbabwe, the country’s better-known archaeological site. The two sites are historically connected through changing regional centres of power, but they are not the same place: Khami is near Bulawayo, while Great Zimbabwe is near Masvingo.