Case file · Sacred site
Ambohimanga, the blue hill
The fortified royal village of Ambohimanga, cradle of the Merina monarchy, is Madagascar's most sacred site; UNESCO listed it in 2001 and pilgrims still offer prayers to the royal ancestors there.
2001 CE · -18.76, 47.56 · status: official
The account
Taboos (fady) govern the hill: pork and certain plants were long banned. Kings such as Andrianampoinimerina ruled from here in the late 18th century, and the site holds royal tombs, sacred trees and stones where rituals are performed.
The sceptical view
A living sacred site; its value is cultural and religious.