English
Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe is a ruined city in the south-eastern hills of Zimbabwe.
Reads at Pre-K Listens at Pre-K–1
Print & create
Answer keys·No prep·Free with an account
28 worksheets · answer keys · full story · quiz · Ages 3-5 · CEFR A1
Plus adds 208,000+ more stories in 27 languages, audio for every one, and printables for all of them.
Just want Great Zimbabwe?
I am made of big, gray stones, stacked high to the sky. I don't use any sticky stuff to hold my stones together; they fit perfectly like a giant puzzle. I live on a sunny hill in Africa, where tall grass whispers in the wind. Do you know who I am? I am Great Zimbabwe, a very old and special city of stone.
A very long time ago, around the 11th century, clever builders from the Shona people started making my strong walls. I became a busy and happy place, the capital of a whole kingdom. Kings and queens lived inside my Great Enclosure, and my tall, cone-shaped tower reached for the clouds. People traveled from far, far away, bringing shiny beads and cloth to trade for sparkling gold. I was filled with laughter, music, and the sounds of a bustling city for hundreds of years, until about the 15th century.
After many years, people moved to new homes, and I became very quiet. But I was never forgotten. In 1980, the country I live in was named Zimbabwe, just for me. Today, children and grown-ups from all over the world visit me. They walk through my stone doorways and marvel at my tall walls. I love sharing my story and showing everyone the amazing things people can build. I am a reminder that even things from long ago can fill us with wonder and pride today.
The Stone City That Gave a Country Its Name
I am made of big, gray stones, stacked high to the sky. I don't use any sticky stuff to hold my stones together; they fit perfectly like a giant puzzle. I live on a sunny hill in Africa, where tall grass whispers in the wind. Do you know who I am? I am Great Zimbabwe, a very old and special city of stone.
A very long time ago, around the 11th century, clever builders from the Shona people started making my strong walls. I became a busy and happy place, the capital of a whole kingdom. Kings and queens lived inside my Great Enclosure, and my tall, cone-shaped tower reached for the clouds. People traveled from far, far away, bringing shiny beads and cloth to trade for sparkling gold. I was filled with laughter, music, and the sounds of a bustling city for hundreds of years, until about the 15th century.
After many years, people moved to new homes, and I became very quiet. But I was never forgotten. In 1980, the country I live in was named Zimbabwe, just for me. Today, children and grown-ups from all over the world visit me. They walk through my stone doorways and marvel at my tall walls. I love sharing my story and showing everyone the amazing things people can build. I am a reminder that even things from long ago can fill us with wonder and pride today.
Wow facts
About
Great Zimbabwe is a ruined city in the south-eastern hills of Zimbabwe. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe during the country's Late Iron Age and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Take a Quiz
Question 1 of 3
Who built the city of stone?
Explore next
Want to do even more?
Go beyond exploring. Unlock tools that turn every story into real learning.
Storypie Plus for families
Full stories, quizzes, and printables. Nights and car rides, sorted.
- Unlimited audio stories
- Create Mode: your child stars in the story
- Offline downloads
- Printable worksheets & coloring pages
Why Storypie for Schools
Students engaged. Prep in seconds. Evenings back to you.
- Worksheets & Quizzes
- Classroom Management
- Formative Assessment
- Custom Curriculum & Lesson Plans
- 27 Languages
Why Storypie for Homeschool
Curriculum done. They'll ask for more. Hours back in your day.
- Worksheet Generator
- First-Person Audio Stories
- Built-in Comprehension Quizzes
- Custom Curriculum & Lesson Plans
- Print & Go Activities
