- Address: Queen's Palace, Lalana Ramboatiana, Antananarivo
Madagascar has won the hearts of so many tourists. Unique landscapes, unspoiled beaches, Indian Ocean waters and the biodiversity of the island's inhabitants are just some of the reasons to come here again. But do not forget that on the island of Madagascar lives its own people with their own culture , traditions and history. And one of the main attractions of the capital is the palace of Rouva Ambuchimanga.
Acquaintance with the palace of Rouva
The name "Ruva" belongs to the former royal palace, located in the capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo . Many tourists call the royal palace of Rov, focusing on the translation from Malagasy language Rova Manjakamiadana. The entire palace complex was built on the twelve hills of Mount Analamanga. The Ruva Palace stands at the highest of them, towering over the sea at 1480 m.
Archaeologists have found out that this hill was mastered by local leaders in the far 17th century. The fortress wall of the Kingdom of Imerin and its structures were constantly rebuilt. And in order to increase the area of the entire palace complex, in 1800 the height of the mountain was reduced by 9 m.
What is interesting about the palace?
Ruva was originally built in the 1820s from wood, and was later lined with stone. For a very long time it was the only stone structure in Antananarivo, because their erection was forbidden by the local Queen Ranavalun I.
Since 1860, a stone chapel appeared on the mountain, as Queen Ranavaluna II took Christianity. The Royal Palace of Ruva regularly performed its functions until 1896, when Madagascar became part of the French colonial empire.
Generations of rulers of Madagascar lived in the palace for several centuries. Here are their tombs. From the royal complex there is a beautiful panoramic view of the city.
On the eve of the introduction of the Ruva Palace into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995, the building almost completely burned down during a political demonstration. At present, its wooden appearance has been completely restored.
How to get to the palace of Rouva?
The Royal Palace of Ruva is visible from any point of Antananarivo . Get to it more comfortably by taxi or a rented car . Near Analamanga mountain all city buses stop, but you can go up only on foot.
If you want to walk from town to the palace yourself, wear comfortable shoes and orient yourself at the coordinates: -18.923679, 47.532311