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The most colorful and attractive city of Madagascar, Antananarivu is located on two picturesque hills. Here you will find multiple cozy parks and terraces, fairytale-like castles and museums that make the city attractive and unforgettable in the eyes of travelers, who are ready to visit Antananarivu again and again, enjoying the splendor of ancient buildings and marvelous corners of nature.
If you plan to visit this city, you should pay particular attention to markets and trading squares. There are around a dozen of such places in the city. The market located on the avenue of Independence is considered the most popular one. Actually, this market is present in the top 10 list of the largest markets in the world and occupies several quarters. Here you can find absolutely different goods – apparel, shoes, jewelry, wide choice of products, and, certainly, souvenirs and handcrafts that are very popular among tourists. If shopping is your best rest, then you may enjoy visiting Analakely quarter, Andhra Nuahangi quarter, Flower market, and National Center of Malagasy Handcrafts.
Performances in the local Hira Gasy Theater occupy a particular place among cultural events of the city. Here best Malaysian artists compete in the art of dance, poetry, and music, making each performance truly unforgettable. Among architectural buildings and historical sights one should mention the ensemble of castles Ambohimanga Rova, the burial vault of Madagascar royal family, the President castle, Antuhumadinika Mosque, the Museum of Archeology and Mahamasina Stadium. Each of these buildings keeps its amazing history and has a strong connection with glorious past. Travelers, who like nature, will find much interesting in the city’s suburbs as here you can walk in wonderful hill regions, climb up the hills and see mountain brooks. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
One of the most famous designer hotels of Antananarivo is TANA Hotel situated in the downtown. This accommodation place is decorated in simple manner. Black and white colors dominate in the …
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Among the most prominent historical attractions Antananarivo stands out Palace Ruva, it is part of a large-scale royal complex, which was built specifically for the Queen Ranavalona back to the 17th century. A significant part of the historical complex of buildings was built out of wood, it is a miracle that it managed to survive many years later. In 1995 the building was almost completely destroyed in a major fire, the efforts of modern architects managed to restore to its original state. Now architectural complex is surrounded by a beautiful garden, which is very popular among tourists.
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Landmarks of Antananarivo are famous for its natural beauty; among the travellers trip to the EZLN lake is very popular. A lot of exciting tourist destinations are laid out along the coastlines, while walking not only can you see rare species of plants, but also to observe one of the main inhabitants of these places - egrets. In the middle of the crystal clear waters of the lake there is a small island, on which a few years ago a monument dedicated to the heroes of the First World War was placed.
The most prestigious hotel in the capital and one of the most famous resorts on the island is Carlton Madagascar. It offers more than 170 rooms with panoramic views of Anosy Lake; the …
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Andafiavaratra Palace deserves the priority among of the city's architectural landmarks. It is located on the highest hill, and this huge palace, painted in bright red colour, is an example of the Baroque style. For many years the palace was used as a governmental residence, but today an interesting museum is opened within its walls. It holds a rich collection of archaeological artefacts and works of art; and the atmosphere created by this ancient palace is a huge value from a cultural point of view.
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Of particular cultural interest is a Tsimbazaza Zoo; it presents a complete variety of animals and birds, which are found on the island of Madagascar. Here you can see various species of lemurs and turtles, but also incredibly beautiful exotic birds. At the zoo there is Malagasy Academic Museum, the collection of which is considered to be unique. It contains archaeological exhibits devoted to the ancient inhabitants of the island. Among them there are huge skeletons of lemurs, and even ancient birds, which are also able to impress with its size.
Sightseeing in Madagascar: things to see
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There are some cultural facilities on Madagascar. The Hiragasy national theatre may be the most famous one. Every day this portable theatre moves across the island, visiting the majority of town and villages. During their stops, musicians and dancers entertain locals and tourists. There are special performances for children and fascinating acrobatic shows. Despite the fact that the majority of locals follow their local tribal religions, there is a church of Jesus Christ on the island. Surrounded by palms and tropic bushes, the sanctuary looks quite unusual. Travellers are also welcome to visit numerous nature parks of Madagascar. The most famous ones are Ranomafana National Park, Perinet Natural Reserve, Tsingy de Bemaraha and Isalo National Park.
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