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The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga lies in the province of Antananarivo in Madagascar. The Royal Hill and the adjoining areas comprise of an imperial city, several holy places as well as a necropolis. The place has had an immense impact on the history, culture and socio-economic life of the people of Madagascar. It has lent them a strong sense of unity and identity of their own and for the past five hundred years has been the representative of their culture. Pilgrims from far flung corners of the nation come to offer their prayers at the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga in Madagascar.
The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga was officially incorporated into the prestigious list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2001. Primary among the reasons cited for its inclusion was the fact that the site has been a manifestation of the cultural identity of the people of Madagascar. Moreover, the complete plan of the building and the materials used to build it bear the imprint of the 16th century Malagasy society.
The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga in Antananarivo is a popular tourist destination as well as a favorite weekend getaway for the local people. The site and its surroundings make for a picturesque landscape. Ambohimanga is one of the twelve hills of the region and has an old swimming pool and a museum. Antsahadinta and Ambohidratrimo are the two burial sites. They are regarded as sacred and are worshiped by many.
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