Abomey: Discover Royal Palaces and History

Abomey is a destination for anyone interested in royal history and its visible traces. The Royal Palaces bring together architecture, ceremonial courtyards, narrative bas-reliefs and museum collections. On a guided tour, you can learn about former royal residences and the history of the kingdom. Families exploring together will find plenty of specific details to look at and ask questions about.

Royal Palaces and Narrative Architecture

The architectural complex of the Royal Palaces is located in Abomey and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Highlights of a guided tour include the former residences, ceremonial courtyards and bas-reliefs, whose depictions tell the story of the kingdom. History and architecture are therefore more than abstract topics: courtyards, reliefs and rooms offer different ways to explore the site, which can be brought together as you discover it. Check the current arrangements for guided visits before your trip.

The palace of King Huégbaja, whose name is also given as Houégbadja, is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Royal Palaces of Abomey. The wider destination of Zou places the palaces within a longer historical timeline: founded in the 17th century, they served in succession as the residence of twelve rulers of the Kingdom of Danxomè. This time span provides a historical context for your visit, while the courtyards and reliefs offer tangible points of reference for exploring the site.

The Historical Museum of Abomey

The Historical Museum of Abomey is located on the grounds of the Central Palace and occupies parts of the former palaces of Kings Ghézo and Glèlè. Its collections extend the architectural setting with objects and depictions of royal life. The exhibition rooms include thrones and elaborately carved royal stools, embroidered wall hangings depicting the history of the kingdom, and command staffs decorated with royal sayings. Other exhibits include portable ancestral altars, royal jewellery, sabres and other weapons. The pieces on display may change over time.

The various objects invite you to pay attention to materials, design and function during your museum visit, rather than seeing history only as a succession of rulers. Together with the bas-reliefs and courtyards, they offer a multifaceted view of the palaces’ heritage. If you are travelling with children, specific details such as a carved stool or a narrative relief can prompt you to talk together about what you have seen, without assuming that a visit is suitable for every age group.

Abomey in the Wider Destination of Zou

The wider destination of Zou offers additional points of interest. Attractions in Covè include thermal springs with a small waterfall of 36-degree water; the palace of King Zéhé d’Agolin is also mentioned there. Alongside Abomey’s royal heritage, the region therefore offers natural features and other historical sites. This variety gives travellers who want to combine culture and nature an opportunity to decide what to focus on during their trip.

The underground village of Agongointo-Zoungoudo is located in Bohicon. It was discovered in 1998 during roadworks. Its constructed underground spaces lie several metres below ground; the village comprises 56 underground houses, called “Ahwando,” across an area of about seven hectares. This underground complex differs considerably from Abomey’s palace courtyards and museum collections. When planning your trip, you can weigh up whether to focus on the history of the royal palaces or also include other historical and natural attractions in the wider destination of Zou.

Choosing Accommodation to Suit Your Focus

If you want Abomey’s palaces and museum to be the focus of your trip, you can tailor your holiday rental search to this cultural interest. If you would like to include other places in the wider destination of Zou, first consider which topics interest you most: royal history, the underground houses of Bohicon or the thermal springs of Covè. This decision concerns the kind of trip you want to take, not specific accommodation features. When searching for a holiday rental in Abomey, choose the location that best suits your planned itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Abomey, Bohicon.

Return to the wider travel overview: Zou.