"Antananarivo (Tana)" Antananarivo by ATLC

Antananarivo Travel Guide: 186 reviews and 422 photos

VIEW OF ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR - Antananarivo

The city Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar, is built on 12 sacred hills. If you look closely at the hill top in the center of the picture you see the ruined Rova, palace of Queen Ranavalona, burned down by arsonists in 1995. Queen Ranavalona reigned for 33 years from 1828, succeeding her husband Kking Radama. She was known for her cruelty and excesses, especially those who embraced Christianity. The Frenchman Jean Laborde became her lover and built the original palace entirely of wood.

More pictures in the travelogue!

And even more on my Madagascar page!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Huge city, impressively spread over several hills
Cons:Due to all those hills and windy roads, you never know where you are!
In a nutshell:Endlessly fascinating and exotic

Last visit to Antananarivo: Nov 2001
Intro Updated Feb 26, 2003
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Reviews (7)

Chauffer/bodyguard Transportation (2)

Our hosts would not let us travel without a chauffeur. In fact, chauffeurs were also bodyguards. more travel advice

Tana traffic Transportation (2)

As in any big city, traffic was often horrendous. No traffic lights but there was reasonably orderly driving. However,... more travel advice

QUEENS PALACE burned out. - Antananarivo

QUEENS PALACE burned out. Tourist Traps (2)

QUEENS PALACE burned out. The Queens Palace that dominates the Antananarivo skyline, built on top of the moment, was... more travel advice

Hotel Colbert Restaurants (2)

Very French, rather formal, great food in the top hotel of Antananarivo Shrimp spring roll - Mango salad - variations... more travel advice

Warnings Or Dangers (1)
Be careful about drinking water

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Travelogues (1)

Written Feb 26, 2003

8 photos

Antananarivo (Tana)

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Comments (62)

Nemorino Mar 27, 2011 at 1:59 PM Report Abuse

From your tips, this does not sound like a very peaceful place. Exotic, though.
Jim_Eliason Sep 24, 2010 at 5:12 PM Report Abuse

Great page Anke!
angiebabe Mar 31, 2008 at 2:44 PM Report Abuse

interesting page. thanks!
Basaic Feb 5, 2008 at 8:48 AM Report Abuse

Great tips!
matt10gonzalez Oct 13, 2007 at 8:39 PM Report Abuse

Wow...I never knew that queen was a meanie!! Antananarivo looks nice! It looks so different from Amsterdam! It looks like San Francisco, a more exotic version! I don't think my mom will like this though! But I'll entice her one day!
ArchitecturA Jun 4, 2005 at 12:26 AM Report Abuse

I say! What a queen!
Toyin Mar 13, 2005 at 7:36 AM Report Abuse

Great tips, lovely pics..thanks for sharing.
iwys Mar 10, 2005 at 5:19 PM Report Abuse

What an interesting page. I like the story of the cruel queen and the Frenchman.
dunemaire Jan 12, 2005 at 12:51 AM Report Abuse

Great tips on Antananarivo, also a very well built home page.
KalamazooJohn May 20, 2004 at 1:46 PM Report Abuse

The Colbert was the first place we at upon arrival. It was decadently delicious, and very inexpensive, with our western budget.