Rova of Antananarivo (Queen's Palace), Antananarivo (must see)

The genesis of the Queen's Palace can be traced back to the mid-19th century when it was envisioned by Queen Ranavalona I and meticulously designed by the Scottish missionary, James Cameron. Its initial incarnation took the form of a wooden palace, a testament to the harmonious fusion of indigenous craftsmanship and foreign influences under Cameron's expert guidance. The structural marvel of this palace was underscored by a colossal rosewood pillar, an engineering feat that stands as a testament to the era's ingenuity. This awe-inspiring pillar, stretching an astonishing 39 meters, was the result of the tireless toil of an estimated 10,000 individuals who transported this precious timber from the distant east coast.

The Queen's Palace, resplendent in its regal grandeur, boasted a luminous white facade adorned with balustrades painted in vibrant red and black, radiating an aura of majesty and opulence. The palace underwent a transformative evolution around 1870 under the stewardship of James Cameron, a name synonymous with its enduring legacy. Cameron introduced four Italian-style corner towers, timeless in their elegance, enhancing not only the palace's aesthetic allure but also its architectural uniqueness.

Nevertheless, the annals of history have not been without trials for the Queen's Palace. A devastating fire in 1995 laid waste to the palace's interior, leaving behind an indomitable legacy of ongoing restoration efforts. Despite this unfortunate setback, the palace's compound remains accessible to visitors, inviting them to delve into the opulent history of Madagascar's monarchy.

At the entrance to this historic enclave, a gate stands adorned with a carved eagle symbolizing military prowess and a phallus emblematic of circumcision and nobility. The palace's compound bears witness to the ambitions of successive rulers who erected and sometimes demolished various palatial structures on the premises, leaving scattered ruins as silent testaments to their legacies.