Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The royal precincts, or
Rova
(admission Ar5000; 9am-4pm), contain several
terraced tombs and a well-maintained garden with evocative sacred trees and
lovely views of the surrounding countryside.
As you enter the settlement, the large tomb on your right belongs to Queen
Rabodozafimanjaka, one of King Andrianampoinimerina's 12 wives. Accused
of disloyalty, she had to undergo an ordeal with
tanguin
, a strong poison, and no
one today is certain whether or not she survived it.
There is a small
museum
with historical artefacts, photos and family trees.
The whole compound has been well maintained, and the resident guide is a real
character, a passionate of Malagasy history with enough anecdotes to keep you
entertained for an afternoon (a tip will be expected).
As well as being of historical interest, Antsahadinta is a beautiful place; if
you come, bring a picnic to feast on the views from the lofty Rova. The site is
14km southwest of Antananarivo, through paddy fields, sugar cane plantations
and picturesque villages. As the road is in bad condition and there is no public
transport, you will need your own vehicle to come here, preferably a 4WD.
Ambohimanga
Ambohimanga ('blue hill' or 'beautiful hill') was the original capital of the Merina royal
family. Even after the seat of government was shifted to Antananarivo for political reasons,
Ambohimanga remained a sacred site, and was off-limits to foreigners for many years. The
entire hill was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2001 for being 'the most signific-
ant symbol of the cultural identity of the people of Madagascar'.
The entrance to Ambohimanga village is marked by a large traditional gateway, one of
the seven gateways to the eyrie-like hilltop. To one side is a large, flat, round stone. At the
first sign of threat to the village, the stone would be rolled by up to 40 slaves, sealing off
the gate.
SIGHTS
Rova
PALACE
(admission Ar7000; 9am-5pm) Poised atop the hill is Ambohimanga's Rova, the
fortress-palace of the all-powerful Merina king Andrianampoinimerina.
Slaves were once sacrificed on the rock inside the palace's entrance, and the many pil-
grims who come to ask the blessings of the royal ancestors sometimes still slaughter anim-
als in the same spot. The fortress was constructed using cement made from sand, shells and
egg whites - 16 million eggs were required to build the outer wall alone.
