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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Africa
- Benin
- Royal Palaces of Abomey
Royal Palaces of Abomey
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Royal Palaces of Abomey -
built by the Fon people in the 17th Century - are a group of
earthen structures, that stand as relics of the West African
Kingdom of Abomey (formerly known as Dahomey). A mighty military
and commercial empire, under 12 kings who succeeded one another
from 1695 to 1900, Abomey grew into one of the most powerful
kingdoms on the west coast of Africa. The palace complex is
impressive (measuring six miles in diameter), and is immediately
redolent of days gone by: beyond the mud-walled perimeter, is a
five-foot ditch, filled with acacia plants (prickly pears), a
traditional form of defence. For a society without written
documents, the mud structures' carved bas-reliefs are vital records
of the most significant milestones in the evolution of Fon culture;
depicting their military victories, as well as documenting their
myths, customs and rituals. Located just 110 miles (about 175km)
northwest of the capital Porto Novo, easily accessed by the
national road RN4, the Royal Palaces of Abomey are sites of 'living
history' - and an absolute must-see for travellers to Benin.