Pirate Museum, Antananarivo
The Pirate Museum in Antananarivo offers a fascinating glimpse into the golden age of piracy. Located on the fourth floor of a building in the Tsaralalana district near the central railway station, this unique museum invites visitors to explore the 300-year-old story of Madagascar's hidden pirate past. For around three centuries, Madagascar served as a secret refuge for buccaneers who found this uncolonized island the perfect sanctuary for their exploits.
Founded on December 18, 2008, by Swiss ethnologist Franz Stadelmann, the museum was inaugurated with an address from the Swiss Ambassador Carlos Orga. Stadelmann’s lifelong dedication to Madagascar, dating back to his work with the Swiss Development Assistance (SDC) and his founding of PRIORI, reflects his deep connection to the island’s culture and history. Inside the museum, visitors encounter over twenty paintings that capture the evolution, rules, and life of piracy, bringing the history to life through authentic testimonies and artifacts.
The Pirate Museum preserves both original and replica artifacts, each capturing an aspect of the pirates’ adventurous lives. Exhibits include ship models crafted with precision by Le Village, a local artisan shop that builds models based on authentic blueprints. After exploring the exhibits, visitors can relax on the museum's balcony with “pirate coffee” and a slice of “pirate cake,” while overlooking the vibrant cityscape of Antananarivo.
Founded on December 18, 2008, by Swiss ethnologist Franz Stadelmann, the museum was inaugurated with an address from the Swiss Ambassador Carlos Orga. Stadelmann’s lifelong dedication to Madagascar, dating back to his work with the Swiss Development Assistance (SDC) and his founding of PRIORI, reflects his deep connection to the island’s culture and history. Inside the museum, visitors encounter over twenty paintings that capture the evolution, rules, and life of piracy, bringing the history to life through authentic testimonies and artifacts.
The Pirate Museum preserves both original and replica artifacts, each capturing an aspect of the pirates’ adventurous lives. Exhibits include ship models crafted with precision by Le Village, a local artisan shop that builds models based on authentic blueprints. After exploring the exhibits, visitors can relax on the museum's balcony with “pirate coffee” and a slice of “pirate cake,” while overlooking the vibrant cityscape of Antananarivo.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Antananarivo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Pirate Museum on Map
Sight Name: Pirate Museum
Sight Location: Antananarivo, Madagascar (See walking tours in Antananarivo)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Sight Location: Antananarivo, Madagascar (See walking tours in Antananarivo)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Walking Tours in Antananarivo, Madagascar
Create Your Own Walk in Antananarivo
Creating your own self-guided walk in Antananarivo is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Antananarivo Introduction Walking Tour
The capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo, affectionately known by locals as Tana, is the most attractive and visited destination in the country.
Antananarivo was historically the capital of the Merina people, who continue to form the majority of the local population made up of eighteen Malagasy ethnic groups and residents of Chinese, Indian, European, and other origins.
The city was founded... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Antananarivo was historically the capital of the Merina people, who continue to form the majority of the local population made up of eighteen Malagasy ethnic groups and residents of Chinese, Indian, European, and other origins.
The city was founded... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles