Abomey

Benin

Abomey is a town and former capital of Benin.

The Royal Palaces of Abomey are a group of earthen structures built by the Fon people of the Dahomey Kingdom between the mid-17th and late 19th Centuries. One of the most famous and historically significant traditional sites in West Africa, the Palaces are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Each king had a new palace built for himself. They are filled with larger numbers of bas-reliefs and artwork that display everyday life, including war, sacrifices and torture methods. The Dahomey were also notable for being one of the main beneficiaries of the Atlantic slave trade, with palaces largely having been built using wealth acquired from capturing slaves from neighbouring ethnic groups to sell to the Europeans. The palaces are:

  • Akaba Royal Palace
  • Gbehanzin Royal Palace
  • Palace of King Glele
  • Palace of King Agaja
  • Palace of King Tegbessu
  • Palace of King Agoli-Agbo
  • Palace of King Ghezo
  • Palace of King Angoglo
  • Palace of King Kpengla

It is also worth visiting the nearby museum:

  • Musée Historique d'Abomey, +229 22 50 03 14. M-F: 8:30am-6pm, Sa-Su: 8:30am-5pm. Houses a number of artefacts and relics from the area. Some of the banners show torture and war tactics of the former Kingdom. The throne of Ghezo is exhibited, which was built on top of human skulls. Admission includes a guided tour, which takes about an hour. CFA 2500.

Musée Historique d'Abomey, +229 22 50 03 14. M-F: 8:30am-6pm, Sa-Su: 8:30am-5pm. Houses a number of artefacts and relics from the area. Some of the banners show torture and war tactics of the former Kingdom. The throne of Ghezo is exhibited, which was built on top of human skulls. Admission includes a guided tour, which takes about an hour. CFA 2500.

  • The Musée Historique d'Abomey sells souvenirs, including banners and bronze figurines.
  • Chez Yemadje, Rue du Palais Royal, +229 9579 0945, +229 9782 3363. 7am-7pm. Owned and maintained by the family that once embroidered for the previous kings. Sells various craft work.

The Musée Historique d'Abomey sells souvenirs, including banners and bronze figurines.

Chez Yemadje, Rue du Palais Royal, +229 9579 0945, +229 9782 3363. 7am-7pm. Owned and maintained by the family that once embroidered for the previous kings. Sells various craft work.

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