Sunday, November 25, 2012

Ambohimanga (3)

Foto di Ambohimanga, Antananarivo
Questa foto di Ambohimanga è offerta da TripAdvisor.

With British help Andrianampoinimerina's son, Radama, went a long way to achieving his father's ambitions to expand his kingdom to the sea.
His wife succeeded him as Queen Ranavalona.
Three more queens followed and, although the capital had by that time been moved to Tana, they built themselves elegant summerhouses next to Andrianampoinimerina's simple royal home.

Foto di Ambohimanga, Antananarivo
Questa foto di Ambohimanga è offerta da TripAdvisor.

These have been renovated and provide a fascinating glimpse of the strong British influence during those times, with very European décor and several gifts sent to the monarchs by Queen Victoria.
French influence is evident too: there are two cannons forged in Jean Laborde's Mantasoa iron foundry.
Here also is the small summerhouse of Prime Minister. 
Understandably cautious about being overheard (he wielded more power than the queens he married), he chose an open design with glazed windows so that spies could be spied first.

Foto di Ambohimanga, Antananarivo
Questa foto di Ambohimanga è offerta da TripAdvisor.

Also within the compound is a mundane-looking concrete pool - the concrete is a recent addition - which was used by the queens for ritual bathing and had to be filled, so they say, by 70 virgins, and a corral where zebu were sacrificed.
An enclosing wall built in 1787 and faced with a rock-hard mixture of sand and egg, completes the tour.

Foto di Ambohimanga, Antananarivo
Questa foto di Ambohimanga è offerta da TripAdvisor.

From a high point above the bath you can get a superb view of the hauts plateaux and Tana in the distance, and on adjacent hill the white mausoleum of the king's ombiasy (witchdoctor).
Ambohimanga is an ideal place for a picnic.
There is no longer a restaurant here, although a hotely by the car park serves Malagasy food.
Visitors with their own transport could try Relais du Rova, situated 5 km away at main turn-off.

Foto di Ambohimanga, Antananarivo
Questa foto di Ambohimanga è offerta da TripAdvisor.



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