Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The palace gate is protected by a carved eagle, the symbol of military force, and a phal-
lus, the symbol of circumcision and thus nobility. The palace itself, known as Manjakami-
adana (A Fine Place to Rule), was designed for Queen Ranavalona I by a Scottish mission-
ary named James Cameron. The outer structure, built in 1867 for Ranavalona II, was made
of stone, with a wooden roof and interior.
Succeeding rulers built (and destroyed) a number of other palaces on the premises; there
are ruins scattered about. There is also a replica of King Andrianampoinimerina's palace at
Ambohimanga.
The Rova is also the resting place of the country's greatest monarchs: the most imposing
stone tombs are located to the left of the main gate. The plain grey ones are those of kings,
while the queens' are painted red (red was the colour of nobility).
Remember that it is
fady
(taboo) to point your finger directly at the royal tombs or the
palace itself. The Rova, which can be seen from almost anywhere in Tana, is located at the
very top of the Haute-Ville.
