When you hear of Benin Republic, the first place that comes to mind is Cotonou or Porto Novo. Well, the capital of the Republic of Benin or République du Bénin in French is Porto Novo, but the seat of government is Cotonou. The main languages spoken in the country is French, Fon, and Yoruba. Here are places and things to do part one.
Located in West Africa, Benin Republic is formerly known as Dahomey; and it is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. It has a population of about 10 million people, and it got its independence from France in 1960.
Things to do and places to visit in Benin Republic :
1. Cotonou Cathedral
The cathedral of Notre Dame of Misericorde is largely known as Cotonou Cathedral. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cotonou, and built in 1883 close to the Ancien Pont bridge.
The burgundy and white tiled architecture of the ancient church is its mouth outstanding feature. It is a place to worship in or visit if you happen to visit the Cotonou.
2. Ancien Pont, Cotonou
Constructed in 1928 and renovated in 1981, the Ancien Pont bridge in Cotonou is a great water feature of the city. The long and extended bridge crosses the Lagune de Cotonou, bridging the two sides of the city by joining them together via the bridge.
It is a bridge you might like to use if you ever find yourself in this side of the city.
3. Stade de L’Amitie
With a capacity for 35,000 seated people, the Stade de l’Amitie or Friendship Stadium in Cotonou is a multi-purpose stadium that must be visited for the best of spectacular football matches among other sporting activities.
There are also facilities for athletics and other kinds of sports, and be sure to be at the Stade de l’Amitie if there is a match scheduled to hold at the stadium.
4. Royal Palace, Porto-Novo
Situated in Porto Novo, the Royal Palace is also known as King Toffa’s Palace. It is the former residence of the king, but now converted to a museum and named the Musee Honme.
Most of the artifacts in the museum are related to the times of the former dynasties and tell a lot about the cultural past of the Beninoise.
5. Pendjari National Park
The Pendjari National Park was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in March 2009, and it is situated northwest of the country, close to the Arli National Park of adjoining Burkina Faso. The park is named after the Pendjari River, and covers about 2,755 sq km of land. It is a home to a vast number of wildlife, among which are buffaloes, antelopes, West African lions, elephants, and birds among others.
You will enjoy quality time at this park if you visit via the hills and cliffs of the Atakora range, which provide a scenic and wonderful backdrop of the park.
6. Royal Palaces of Abomey
The Royal Palaces of Abomey are 12 palaces spread over 20 hectares or 99 acres of land, within Abomey town in what used to be the capital of the city when the country was still known as Dahomey.
The kingdom was founded by the Fon people in 1625, and it rose to become a powerful and commercial empire. The 12 kings that lived in the palaces ruled between 1625 and 1900, and the palaces were listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
7. Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Located in Ouidah, Cotonou, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception or Basilique de l’Immaculée Conception was dedicated in November 1989, and under the authority of the Archdiocese of Cotonou.
This is a church you’d want to visit if you happen to find yourself in Ouidah.
8. W National Park
The W National Park or W Regional Park was created in August 1954 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The park is jointly governed by the governments of Niger, Benin Republic, and Burkina Faso because the park runs through the three countries.
It is named “W” national or regional park because it works itself through River Niger in the shape of “W”.
9. Musée en Plein Air de Parakou
Situated about 1.5 kilometres south of Parakou, the Musée en Plein Air de Parakou is a museum that is made up of five round complexes constructed in the traditional fashion of the Batanou people.
Although a lot still needs to be done to make this museum live up to its name, it is a place of interest that must be noted down for a visit.
10. Alexandre Sènou Adandé Ethnographic Museum
Based out of Porto Novo, the Alexandre Sènou Adandé Ethnographic Museum was established in 1957 by the Dahomey Institute.
It is a museum that tells the history of the people, and a point of tourist attraction that must be checked out by any visitors to the area.
11. Discover Somba culture in Natitingou
Natitingou’s regional museum provides an impression of life for Benin’s Somba communities that primarily inhabit the northeast of the country.
Located within an elegant colonial structure previously used by local government, exhibits relate to archaeology, history and art.
The habitat room has examples of traditional Somba homes.
12. Explore Cotonou’s bustling streets
Set between the Atlantic Ocean and Lac Nokoué, Cotonou is Benin’s largest and most important city.
Its market, the sprawling Dantokpa, covers a whopping 20 hectares (49 acres) and sells everything from toothbrushes to fresh fruit – a great way to experience the city.
The nearby Foundation Zinsou, which promotes modern African art, is also well worth a visit.
13. Feed your brain in Abomey
The dusty city of Abomey is home to the eponymous Abomey Historical Museum, which offers an insight into the history of the Abomey Kingdom and contains a throne made of human skulls.
Whilst you’re in town, pay a visit to the opulent royal palaces, swing by the Fetish Temple and peruse the local wares at the Centre Artisanal.
14. Follow the Route of Slaves in Ouidah
Ouidah was once a major centre for the slave trade, a place where slaves were led from the Portuguese Fort (now a museum) along a 4km (2.5 mile) sandy track to waiting ships that would take them across the Atlantic.
Today the track is lined with poignant memorials such as the Tree of Forgetfulness. The path ends at the Door of No Return memorial arch.
15. Indulge your inner artist at Villa Karo
A cultural centre and artists’ residence, Villa Karo in Grand Popo is a Finnish-African project that aims to improve understanding between cultures.
The centre puts on a range of events including art exhibitions, film screenings and concerts and is a great way to get involved with the local community, which relies largely on its modest fishing industry.
16. Relax by the water
Although beaches are strung all along Benin’s 120km (75 mile) Atlantic coastline, the best quality sands are found at Grand Popo and Ouidah.
Facilities for water sports on the coast are limited, though it’s possible to sail at the Yacht Club in Cotonou, or hire a dug-out canoe or motorboat on Lac Nakoué.
17. Take a dip at Kota Falls
The isolated 20m-high (65ft) waterfalls at Kota provide a relaxed and secluded pool to take a refreshing dip, and an idyllic setting to while away an afternoon with a picnic.
Accommodation makes it possible to stay overnight, and enjoy the solitude and romanticism even longer.
18. Visit the ‘Venice of Africa’
Floating in Lac Nokoué, and only accessible by boat, the stilt village of Ganvie is home to a staggering 20,000 people.
A fully-fledged and atmospheric town, it was constructed sometime between the 16th and 17th centuries as a safe haven for the Tofino people against local slave traders.
19. The Cotonou Central Mosque
The Cotonou Central Mosque is a major Islamic center of worship in the capital, the mosque has a great importance for the Islamic community in Benin, and it is built on the ancient architectural design which makes it stand out as a famous and a unique religious site in Cotonou.
It is worth paying a visit if you are in the city.
20. Explore The Boulevard St. Michel
The Boulevard St. Michel is the central heart of the Cotonou city; it blazes up the city with the display of the great artisan features of Benin, the arts here is exemplary, traditional and modern art.
This Boulevard St. Michel artisan center is a great place to experience the culture and artefacts from Benin which are native.
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