Rova of Antananarivo
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The Rova of Antananarivo is a royal palace complex in Madagascar that was the home of the sovereigns of the Kingdom of Imerina in the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as of the rulers of the Kingdom o
Rova of Antananarivo
Approximate layout of buildings in the Rova compound at the end of Radama I's reign in 1828
Jean Laborde imported the bronze eagle atop the main gate from France in 1840.
Ambassadors were received at Tranovola.
Ranavalona I
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Ranavalona I, also known as Ramavo or Ranavalo-Manjaka I or Ranavalona reniny, was the sovereign of the Kingdom of Madagascar from 1828 to 1861. After positioning herself as queen following the death
Rova of Antananarivo
…inhabited by other family members. Andrianampoinimerina gave Besakana to his adopted daughter Ramavo (later to become Radama's wife and eventually Queen Ranavalona I). Andrianampoinimerina's sister, Ralaisoka, originally shared Besakana with Ramavo until a daughter named Ratsimanompo vacated a house called Fohiloha…
Posthumous portrait, 1905
Queen Ranavalona I with her son and heir Prince Rakoto. Posthumous circa 1875
Ranavalona traveling on her filanzana (palanquin), accompanied by her son Rakoto on horseback and a retinue of slaves and soldiers. Posthumous, 1895
Ranavalona built a wooden palace (upper right) called Manjakamiadana, the largest structure in the Rova compound of Antananarivo. It was later encased in stone during Ranavalona II's reign.