Antananarivo travel guide
Antananarivo (Tananarive in French), also known as Tana, is the capital, the economic centre and the largest city of Madagascar. The city is built at altitudes up to 1.400 m (4.593 ft) above sea level on a series of hills in the northern portion of the central highlands. Antananarivo is situated 145 km (90 miles) away from the eastern coast.
Antananarivo is served by Ivato International Airport, located 27 km (17 miles) from the city. The city is connected with Toamasina, the main seaport of the country, by railway (215 km or 134 miles).
Antananarivo was founded circa 1625 by King Andrianjaka and was already a major city before the colonial era. Originally built like a fortress on a hilltop, Antananarivo (which means “City of thousand soldiers” who were assigned to guarding the place) subsequently spread to the neighbouring knolls, stretched to the slopes and transformed the marshes below.
The city is built on three levels. Dominating the city is the Queen's Palace (Manjakamiadana) and associated Royal Village. Now a national monument, it was once the residence of the Merina Dynasty which, in the 19th century, united all Madagascar for the first time. The city views from the Rova is spectacular. On the lowest level is the Analakely district.
Until 1869, all buildings within the city were of wood or rushes, but even then it possessed several timber palaces of considerable size. After the French conquest of Madagascar in1895, roads were constructed throughout the city and water was brought from the Ikopa River, instead of being obtained from springs at the foot of the hill.
Antananarivo is known for its steep-sloped streets, endless stairways, and traditional houses nestling against each other.
After independence in 1960, the city's population increased rapidly. Now, the city and the surroundings reaches about 2 million.
In Antananarivo, French is widely spoken, and roads as well as shop signs are mostly in French.
The Rova of Antananarivo is the royal palace complex, home of the monarchs of Madagascar from +/- 1806 to 1897 and converted into a museum later on. Seven monuments originally occupied the site: Manjakamiadana, Tranovola, Manampisoa, Besakana , Mahitsielafanjaka, a Protestant temple and royal tombs.
On November 6, 1995, a fire destroyed the monuments of the Rova. All that remained was the stone shell of the Manjakamiadana (Queen's Palace) and the Protestant temple, also constructed in stone. The reconstruction has started since 2006.
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Mahitsielafanjakana and Besakana were set up by the King Andrîanampoinimerina (1745 -1810), the founder of the Merina dynasty. They were traditional wooden cabins.
Manjakamiadana (meaning “reign in peace”), commonly called the Queen's Palace, is the largest building of the Rova.
Queen Ranavalona I (1782 -1861) commissioned the construction around 1840. The Palace was built by Jean Laborde around a 39 m. high central wooden pillar.
It comprised broad and elegant arcades and a tower at each of the 4 corners of the building. Each level had a large hall bordered by a broad gallery.
The throne room was on the 1st floor. The Palace was encased with stone by the British James Cameron around 1873 under Queen Ranavalona II (1829 -1883).
Tranovola (meaning “silver palace”) was built in 1845 by Queen Ranavalona I mainly for her son. It was a wooden palace covered with shingles.
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Radama I, son of Andrianampoinimerina
Manampisoa (meaning “extra beauty”) was built between 1865 and 1867 by William Pool and James Cameron for Queen Rasoherina (1814 -1868) in the English cottage style.
In the southern portion of the complex, the Protestant temple was built of stone and with a slate roof by William Pool under Queen Ranavalona II from 1869 to 1880. Ranavalona II was indeed the first sovereign who was baptized and officially converted the country to Christianity in 1869.
Royal tombs: Before Andrianampoinimerina, the Kings of Antananarivo were buried in 7 aligned tombs (Ranofitomiandalana) surmounted by Tranomanara (a small wooden construction being a sign of nobility). Andrianampoinîmerina and the subsequent Kings and Queens of Madagascar rest in two mausoleums, one for the Kings and the other for the Queens.
Near the Rova complex, Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony (1828 -1896), who was also the husband of three successive Queens of Madagascar, built the splendid Palace of Andafiavaratra (also known as “Prime Minister’s House”) in 1872 in replacement of the wooden house of his father.
Following the example of the Queen’s Palace, it has 3 levels and 4 towers. In addition, the Palace of Andafiavaratra has a central glass cupola giving light to the Hall. The palace was built by the British architect William Pool.
After the independence, it became in turn an army barrack, a law court, and again the prime minister’s palace. Destroyed by a fire in 1976, the palace of Andafiavaratra has been restored.
Currently, the palace is used as museum for several precious items that have been saved from the fire of the Rova in 1995, such as the red jacket of Radama I, the royal coral jewels, the desk of Rainilaiarivony (last Prime Minister under the Merina Dynasty), a musical box offered by Napoleon III, several royal portraits, the diadem of the last queen, and some items used for the circumcision of the royal children.
The Tsimbazaza Zoological and Botanical Garden is situated just outside the city centre. It is a quiet and pleasant place to get a break after visiting the city. It has astounding specimens of Malagasy fauna and flora.
In addition to the awesome natural surroundings, Tsimbazaza Zoological and Botanical Garden has also an outstanding museum.