The Great Zimababwe Ruins are the remains of an Iron Age site of what was an extensive town built around 1200AD depicting an ancient African civilisation. Great Zimbabwe gave the modern nation its name as the word 'Zimbabwe' is derived from Shona words that mean 'houses of stone' or 'venerated house'.

The prevailing theory behind the Great Zimbabwe Ruins is that this structure was used as a royal compound. Judging from the ancient iron tools, ceramics, pottery (including Ming Dynasty pottery from China), gold and carvings discovered in the ruins, it covers about 720 hectares with its huge granite walls, conical towers and fortresses.

Guided tours run daily through the ruins, a museum that holds the archaeological artifacts that have been recovered from the ruins.  Masvingo town, 28kms/17 miles from this national shrine, is the provincial capital of this region.