The balanced block
A rock on top of rocks.
Prof.Chen Hualin — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kitwee Kisai — CC BY-SA 4.0 · MWANI — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jonathan Stonehouse — CC BY 2.0 · Robin Chew — CC BY-SA 4.0
Bismarck Rock is a pile of granite boulders in the waters of Lake Victoria near the shore of Mwanza, Tanzania's second largest city. It is the symbol of the place its residents call Rock City, with one large block balanced on others in a scene seen in nearly every picture of it. Mwanza is a port on the southern shore of Lake Victoria and capital of the region of the same name, with an urban population of about 1.1 million. The Sukuma people predominate. Large granite boulders are scattered over its hills and shores, Bismarck Rock being the best known, and its name dates from the German period of rule here. The rock stands close enough to shore to be seen from the nearby gardens and walkways, with wide water and distant hills behind. Its colour changes with the light, and smaller boulders on the grass nearby make good places to sit and photograph the lake. It is 2.5 km in a straight line from central Mwanza, a walk or short taxi ride away. The hour before sunset suits it well, when rock and water take on colour. Do not try to swim or climb, and ask about islands and boat trips if you want them.
A rock on top of rocks.
Wide water, distant hills.
Colour on the granite.
Lake Victoria shore, Mwanza
For the many large granite boulders on its hills and shores.
It is seen from the shore, and we do not advise swimming to it or climbing it.