Heritage sites, Archaeological discoveries, History of Archaeology

Royal Hill of Ambohimanga

Location

Ambohimanga Rova

Country

Madagascar

Year of Research

2001

Culture

The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga consists of a royal city and funeral site, and group of sacred places.
It is associated with strong feelings of national identity, and has maintained its religious and blessed character both in ritual practice and the popular imagination for the past 500 years.
The Royal Hill remains a place of worship to which pilgrims come from Madagascar and elsewhere.
It is the most important symbol of the cultural identity of the people of Madagascar.
The usual design, materials, and layout of the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga are representative of the social and political structure of Malagasy society from at least the 16th century.
Criterion vi The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga an outstanding example of a place where, over centuries, common human experience has been focused in memory, ritual, and prayer