Royal Palaces Of Abomey Facts: The UNESCO Heritage Site

Oluniyi Akande
Nov 01, 2023 By Oluniyi Akande
Originally Published on Mar 29, 2022
Royal Palaces of Abomey facts state that they were built by the rulers of the Kingdom of Dahomey from 1625-1900 and served as the royal residence of the kings and their families.
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The success of 12 kings over each other was marked from 1625-1900 to establish a leading dynasty of Abomey.

The palaces of all the kings are built among the similar cob area of the wall, and older places were kept in use for storing materials.

The site is inscribed in the lists of UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The places are not visited frequently by humans in recent years, but it depicts the victory of King Ghezo and King Glele, who battled against the colonial occupation for independence.

The Historical Museum of the Royal Palaces of Abomey is located in the town of Abomey, Benin. It was founded in 1972 by the then president of Benin, Emile Derlin Zinsou. The Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the Dahomey Kingdom.

Discovery And History

King Houegbadja was the first leader to begin the construction of palaces. The descendants of Princess Aligbonon and a panther developed the royal family of Abomey in 12 places.

The dynasty resided in the southern part of the current area, which is in the Republic of Benin in Abomey. The 17th century welcomed the reign of King Dahomey at the site of the past village of Kana.

The growth of the reign began in the 17th century that vanished the majority of the associated kingdoms and grew prosperous from slavery and merchandising. With numerous trials, the kingdom was overthrown by the French people on November 16, 1892, urging King Behanzin to leave the city.

The attention of the down reduced, and procedure got disturbed when the French constructed the recent administrative center of Bohicon to the east. Formerly, the city has reduced significance but is still recommended by tourists to visit for the craftworks.

Archaeological Excavations

Cultural ancestry sites include multiple developments and sites of the town that are significant archaeology sites. It also includes designs with tremendous paintings or sculptures.

Real sites of the heritage are prohibited to natural areas only, which include the finest furnishings recording the Earth's geological processes; also outstanding examples of prevailing biological and ecological evolutionary proceedings. It also consists of the natural phenomena that are distinct, unusual, and adorned and furnished habitats of flora and fauna.

The palaces are decorated with sculptures and paintings, many of which depict scenes from the lives of the kings and their families.

Architecture And Design

Unlike ordinary historical places, the Royal Palaces of Abomey is surrounded by buildings that constitute the impressive heightened walls. The approximate thickness of the walls is one and a half feet which promote accurate temperature in every room.

It encompasses mahogany and iroko for joinery and timber endeavors, sheet metals, and straws for roofing.

Various roofs integrate bas reliefs that are the reasonable decorations built with real code of communication by the end of the 18th century.

The bas reliefs were engraved in pillars and walls and excavated out of the Earth from a mixture of palm oils and anthills along with the pigments of minerals and vegetables, which elaborates extraordinary apexes of museums.

The World Heritage Site is a set of ancient palaces showcasing the cultural heritage of a powerful kingdom. It has been home to some ancient kings and royal families, exhibiting cultural significance.

The natural heritage comes from how the renovation work is kept minimal to maintain the area's authenticity. There are exclusive areas where experts believe that ritual ceremonies have taken place and powerful military forces have been trained. Likewise, the jewel room and throne areas showcase the architectural beauty of ancient times.

FAQs

What were the Dahomey Palaces decorated with?

A: The Dabomeys Palaces were adorned with bas-reliefs and cooper plaques found in the palace walls.

What is the date of inscription and extension year of Royal Palaces of Abomey Province du Zou Benin?

A: The period from 1625-1900 was termed as the date of inscription and extension year of Royal Palaces of Abomey Province du Zou Benin.

How big are the Royal Palaces of Abomey?

A: The Royal Palaces of Abomey are spread across 0.15 sq mi (0.40 sq km) at the heart of the town.

Why is the Royal Palace of Abomey so famous?

A: Due to its listing on the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Royal Palace of Abomey is famous.

Where is the famous food of the Royal Palaces of Abomey?

A: Abomey Calavi serves famous food in the Royal Palace of Abomey.

When was the Royal Palaces of Abomey founded?

A: The Royal Palaces of Abomey was founded in 1625.

How old are the Royal Palaces of Abomey?

A: The Royal Palaces of Abomey functioned from 1625-1900 as a historical, cultural hub.

Who built the Royal Palace of Abomey?

A: The Fon People built the Royal Palace of Abomey.

What type of architectural feature is the Royal Palace of Abomey?

A: It has various ancestral sites with unique architectural features.

Who lived in that palace?

A: The 12 kings except King Akaba lived in the Royal Palace of Abomey, the world heritage site.

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Sources

https://thisisafrica.me/lifestyle/royal-palaces-of-abomey-be

https://www.worldheritagesite.org/list/Royal+Palaces+of+Abomey

https://www.worldatlas.com/amp/articles/dahomey-royal-palaces-of-abomey-benin.html

https://www.alluringworld.com/royal-palaces-of-abomey/

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Written by Oluniyi Akande

Doctorate specializing in Veterinary Medicine

Oluniyi Akande picture

Oluniyi AkandeDoctorate specializing in Veterinary Medicine

With an accomplished background as a Veterinarian, SEO content writer, and public speaker, Oluniyi brings a wealth of skills and experience to his work. Holding a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Ibadan, he provides exceptional consulting services to pet owners, animal farms, and agricultural establishments. Oluniyi's impressive writing career spans over five years, during which he has produced over 5000 high-quality short- and long-form pieces of content. His versatility shines through as he tackles a diverse array of topics, including pets, real estate, sports, games, technology, landscaping, healthcare, cosmetics, personal loans, debt management, construction, and agriculture.

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