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: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
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.
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
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Antananarivo Travel Guide
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- "Antananarivo, my birthplace - Tana, my first home"
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Latest Antananarivo hotel reviews
- Hotel Carlton
- 32 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2012 - Radama Hotel Antananarivo
- 14 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Mar 19, 2012 - Hotel Tamboho
- 24 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 16, 2012 - Karibotel
- 1 Review & Opinion
Latest: Apr 16, 2007 - Sunny Hotel Antananarivo
- 3 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Aug 19, 2011 - Hotel du Louvre
- 12 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 9, 2012 - Hotel Royal Palissandre
- 23 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Mar 10, 2012 - Les Trois Metis
- 1 Review & Opinion
Latest: Nov 15, 2008 - La Residence
- 2 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 21, 2011 - Le Relais des Plateaux
- 17 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 12, 2012 - Tana-Jacaranda
- 16 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 25, 2012 - Vakona Forest Lodge
- 54 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 10, 2012 - Ibis Antananarivo Ankorondrano
- 10 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 15, 2012 - Colbert Hotel
- 27 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 26, 2012 - La Varangue
- 25 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Feb 1, 2012

Food and Dining
Historical Travel
Architecture
Comments (62)
From your tips, this does not sound like a very peaceful place. Exotic, though.
Great page Anke!
interesting page. thanks!
Great tips!
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!
I say! What a queen!
Great tips, lovely pics..thanks for sharing.
What an interesting page. I like the story of the cruel queen and the Frenchman.
Great tips on Antananarivo, also a very well built home page.
The Colbert was the first place we at upon arrival. It was decadently delicious, and very inexpensive, with our western budget.
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