Royal Hill of Ambohimanga

Located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar, the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is the most ancient and complete royal palace in the country. As a vital symbol of royal power, the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is also called the King’s Palace by local people and comprises a royal city, royal mausoleums, and a complex of sacrificial buildings. In 2001, it was selected as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO and it has been by now the only UNESCO world cultural heritage site in the country.

Royal Palace of the First King of Merina Kingdom (c. 1787-1896)

The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga had been the living place and palace of Andrianampoinimerina (1745-1810), the first king of the Merina Kingdom, from 1788 to 1810. 

Royal Hill of Ambohimanga

King’s Palace

The King’s Palace is a wood structure constructed on a stone foundation. With a length of about 7 meters (7.5 yards) and a width of 6 meters (6.5 yards), the palace has a roof supported by a 10-meter-long (11 yards) rosewood bar. The walls of the palace are composed of about 110 double-layer rosewood boards. Two wood beds are displayed in the palace, one for the king and the other for his concubine. On the multi-layer shelves against the wall, you can see some daily life wares including knives and clay dishes.

Dwellings of Successive Queens

Two two-floor buildings are near the king’s palace, and they are dwellings of successive queens. These buildings are decorated well with red, yellow, and green colors, and beautiful white patterns are shown on the windows. In the buildings, abundant gifts from foreigners such as mirrors and wallpaper are exhibited. A small meeting room is set on the second floor for the queen and the premier to discuss political events. Standing under the arch of the building, you can enjoy scenery composed of various residential houses, luxuriant trees, and rolling hills.

Royal Mausoleums

After visiting the palace and the two buildings, you can go around and find the royal mausoleums behind. The mausoleums are built with stone and in a straight line with an order, showing people’s respect for their ancestors and royal solemnity and dignity. 

Also a Sacred Site in the Past 500 Years

In the past 500 years, religious rites and sacrificial activities have been held on the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, making the King’s Palace a sacred and vital place. To enter the palace through the west gate, you will first climb steps. Then, approaching the square, you can see a large heart-shaped stone is laid. In the kingdom period, it functioned as a platform for slaughtering sacrificial livestock, and animal bones were hung on tall royal trees nearby.

Nowadays, people make their pilgrimages to this sacred landmark of Madagascar to pray for blessings and a good and happy life. With a strong sense of national identity, local people see this palace as a cradle of unity.

Solid Defense Facilities around the Palace

Built on one of 12 sacred hills, the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga has a superior position for self-protection against invaders. Solid defense facilities are constructed around the palace. A 2,500-meter-long (2,730 yards) defense ditch surrounds the royal city, and 7 stone-structure passes are set around the ditch. What cannot be ignored in your tour is the east city gate above which a lookout pavilion with red walls and a round thatched roof is constructed for danger warning. The door leaf is a round stone board with a diameter of 4.5 meters (4.7 yards) and a thickness of 0.3 meters (11.8 inches).

Front Door of The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga

How to Get to the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga

From the central bus station of Antananarivo, you can take a local minibus to first arrive at the town of Ambohimanga Rova, and then walk to the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga. The whole process takes about 40 minutes. However, when the transportation situation is complicated in Antananarivo, it may take 1 to 3 hours from downtown to the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga.

Opening Hours: 09:00-16:00.
Recommended Visiting Duration: 2 hours.
Ticket Fare: 15,000 MGA, and 2,000 MGA per camera
Other Notes: Even if you pay for the camera, photography is banned inside the buildings.