- Address: Ambohimanga, Ambohimanga Rova, Madagascar
- Phone: +261 20 22 661 15
The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is one of the world famous landmarks of Madagascar , the most important monument of Malagasy culture , a symbol of national self-determination of the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is located 20 km from the capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo , near a small town, also called Ambohimanga.
Today, the Royal Hill attracts both pilgrims, for whom is a religious shrine, and tourists, and just want to have a good rest and have a picnic in the bosom of nature in a beautiful place.
Description of the complex
Ambohimanga - remains of the royal city, a whole complex of buildings, public places, religious sites. The city, which was the property of the kings of Madagascar and leading its history, since the XVI century. At one time it was well fortified: to this day there are preserved walls, fortified gates (there were once 14 of them) and moats around the fortress. To build fortress walls concrete was used, made in a special way - mixed with egg whites. They went to the walls of several tens of thousands.
The complex includes palaces built of limestone and wood, religious buildings in which various religious rituals were conducted (the latter are concentrated in the eastern part of Ambohimanga), public places and royal tombs.
Near the wooden tomb, also located in the east of the complex, was a pool, or rather - a man-made lake, the water which struck its crystal clear. The reservoir was used for ritual royal bathings - it was believed that, plunging into it, the ruler accepted all the sins of his subjects.
In the rock near him are carved statues of the gods. The shrine is framed with dracenas and figs, which were considered to be royal trees in Madagascar from ancient times. In the northern part you can see the Square of Justice.
Inside the complex beats the spring. The water in it is now considered to be healing, but at a time when Ambohimanga was a fortified fortress, it was not so important - the main thing is that thanks to him the fortress could withstand a long siege, and at the same time its inhabitants did not suffer from thirst.
The pillar that supported the roof in the royal hut is noteworthy: it is made of rosewood and scientists believe that to take it to its destination, it took about 2 thousand slaves.
It is believed that the hill received the status of a sacred place in the XV century. As a royal residence Ambohimanga existed from the XVI to the end of the XVIII century, but after that it continued to be in the status of the religious capital of Madagascar. The last buildings - another palace and a pavilion made of glass - were erected here in 1871. The shrine is considered not only the complex itself, but also forests that grow on its territory and around the hill. Vegetation, consisting mainly of endemics, has always been very carefully guarded and preserved to this day in its original form.
How to get to the sights?
From Iwato Airport to Ambohimangi, you can reach the car in just over an hour. To go follows road 3, or - on road 3, and then on RN51. From Antananarivo these routes to the sights can be reached in about 55 minutes.