Difference between revisions of "Ambohimanga"

Revision as of 22:46, 5 September 2016

The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, meaning blue hill, is located about 24km northeast of Antananarivo. The location is where the line of kings and queens that once united Madagascar came from and where the subsequent royals spent much of their recreational time.

Ambohimanga is one of twelve sacred hills of the Imerina and a place of worship by many Malagasy pilgrims today. A sacraficial stone in front of the rova is used during certain holidays to slaughter chicken. The walled historical village contains burial sites of members of former Royal Imerina families from 19th century. The location was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 and includes seven gates, although some are mostly overgrown by bushes. The site is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9am until 11am and from 2pm until 5pm. Closed Mondays. Entrance is about 7,000 Ariary.

An outdoors restaurant in a lush tropical garden offers a stunning view of Antananarivo in the distance. The restaurant is a bit hidden following a short trail from behind the souvenir shops near to the entrance to the rova. Live musical entertainement with traditional dancers entertains visitors.

A view of Antananarivo from the garden restaurant, next to the rova at the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga

Accommodation

• Chez Haga - a very nice guesthouse, restaurant and picnic area with a view of the hilltops, just next to Ambohimanga Rova.
• Banana Rova - an exclusive outdoors restaurant serving French/Malagasy cuisine, ½ km from Ambohimanga Rova.
• Resto Ravi - a small guesthouse and restaurant within short walking distance of Ambohimanga village.

Additional information

• Ambohimanga photos
• Royal Hill of Ambohimanga on unesco.org
• Twelve sacred hills of Imerina on Wikipedia.org
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambohimanga
• ambohimanga-rova.com Local community website (French language)
• Restaurants in and around Ambohimanga