Rova (Queen's Palace)

Located at the summit of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, Rova, the Queen’s Palace, overlooks the whole city and is a well-known and must-go attraction in the local area. Established between 1839 and 1840, the palace is a magnificent ancient architectural complex and presents precious historical artifacts.

Stories behind Rova - The Queen's Palace

1. The design and construction were completed by architects in British and French missions and the palace is the residential place of Ranavalona I (1778-1861) and a symbol of the royal power of the kingdom.
2. It is also the royal mausoleum for successive kings and queens of the kingdom.
3. In the construction of this grand architecture, many labors were asked to carry abundant heavy padauk. Based on the historical materials, 2,000 labors died from exhausting overwork.

4. In November 1995, an accidental fire ruined the inner furnishings and ornaments of the palace, resulting in an impossible visit to the palace. After long-time repair and renovation, the palace reopened for tourists in June 2023 and began to bring even better viewing experience.

The Rova-Queen's Palace

What to See in Rova (Queen's Palace)

In the European Baroque style of the 19th century, the main part of the inner palace is built with padauk and the outside walls are built with granite. With a height of about 40 meters (131 feet), the palace gathers abundant historical and cultural treasures including queen’s portraits and thrones and becomes a comprehensive museum for local people and tourists to learn about Madagascar.

An eagle spreading its wings is constructed right above the front door of the palace. Go around the palace, you can find reliefs that show the history of Madagascar. Going inside the main building, you will find floors of the palace are composed of rosewood and padauk in different shapes and wood carvings with different life patterns can also be viewed. On the first floor, you can see a model of Rova, the Queen’s Palace and also archaeological relics in the local area. On the second floor, introductions to kings and queens in the history of Madagascar are given and their personal belongings are on display. It’s worth mentioning that some of the treasures are exhibited for the first time. What you can view on the third floor are a holographic projection and films that help you know about the fire disaster and the major events in this country. If you want to know more about the palace and Madagascar, historical materials on the fourth floor await you.

In addition, a back garden and a newly-built theater are another two unmissable places to be viewed. Buildings ruined in the fire are rebuilt in the back garden where a big stone is on the ground. According to legend, persons who can move this stone can be selected as the queen’s warriors. In addition, some stone columns are erected in the garden, showing the grandeur and solemnity of the palace. The theater is in the style of the Colosseum and becomes a new part of the palace. Ancient architecture and modern facilities integrate to provide convenient and comfortable viewing experience.

Bird’s-view of Antananarivo

Standing on the peak of the highest mountain in Antananarivo, Rova, the Queen’s Palace, provides a panoramic view of the whole capital city. Various dwellings, magnificent churches and stadiums, luxuriant flowers and plants, as well as pure lakes are all viewed from the viewing point of the building.

How to Get to Rova (Queen’s Palace)

By taxi, it only takes 30-40 minutes to get here from Antananarivo Ivato International Airport. You can alternatively rent a car for your tour because the public transport system of Antananarivo has not developed that well. The rental of a car for one day costs about 280,000 MGA.

 Opening Hours: 09:00-16:00; the palace is closed every Tuesday.
 Recommended Visiting Duration: 2 hours.
 Ticket Fare: 40,000 MGA for the whole area of the palace and 20,000 MGA only for the surrounding part.
 Other Notes: Photography is banned in the main part of the palace but permitted in the garden and the surrounding part.

Nearby Attractions

Cathedrale Catholique d Andohalo, a Catholic church, is 750 meters (820 yards) away from the Queen’s Palace, within walking distance.

Andafiavaratra Palace is the former residence of the Madagascan Prime Minister and currently serves as a historical museum, also within walking distance from the Queen’s Palace.