Great Zimbabwe is a ruined city in southeastern Zimbabwe that was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe during the Late Iron Age, flourishing from the 11th to the 15th century. It is the largest collection of medieval ruins south of the Sahara and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The site covers 722 hectares and comprises three main areas: the Hill Complex (the oldest section perched on a granite hill), the Great Enclosure (an elliptical wall up to 11 metres high and 5 metres thick, built without mortar), and the Valley Ruins (a collection of living areas).
At its peak, Great Zimbabwe was home to 18,000 people and was a centre of trade in gold, ivory, and cattle. The iconic Zimbabwe Bird carvings found here appear on the national flag and coat of arms.