Palissandre Hotel & Spa

You have one hour before you, go around Tananarive . You can see Tananarive more than just a city of transit or business

Tananarive (Key of the City)

Historical
The City of Thousands
Tananarive commonly named "Tana" which is situated in the centre of the Island with an altitude of 1245 m is the capital of Madagascar . Its motto is "Ny arivo lahy tsy maty indray andro" A thousand men cannot die in one day.

The old city with picturesque streets and beautiful traditional houses built on hills around XVII dominates the plains of Betsimitatatra and the Laniera that are covered with rice fields.
Their planning and the irrigation systems were set by Andrianampoinimerina who reigned over Imerina from 1787 to 1810

Evolution of the City
In spite of the strong constraints of the site, the modern city has developed itself considerably since the 30s.
The building of government ministries in Anosy and the stadium of Mahamasina in the 70s reinforced the function of the districts of the capital. Most of the trades remain in Tsaralalana, Analakely and Antanimena, while Antaninarenina, with its stores, banks, hotels and public services appears to be the real downtown.
Yet, extraordinary thing, it is a capital that has kept in some districts, its old charm, with its traditional brick built houses, shady alleys, paved streets on the heights of the hills and its countless recesses, that show out a city of province more than a big modern city.

A charming city
His characteristic resides in this chaotic topography, where each hill is a true headache for the driver and for the town planner. But on the other hand, what a discovery, when one goes up by these stairs and these trails following the hillside that winds between the small houses ornamented of small gardens. The view always penetrates a little at the neighbor below, and spreads toward a new multicolored hill. And then, these stairs that constantly goes up, comes down and goes back up again, sometimes you may find vendors and beggars.
But wow! Surprise, close to the center remain some rice fields! Maybe not for a long time, because of the inexorable urban development. Yet these small bright green patches bring with them, a little countryside to the city and remind that the rice planting is a tradition of thousand years in Madagascar .

The Upper Town
Anatirova or the Queen's Palace. The fire of November 6, 1995 practically destroyed all the palaces built on the site of the Rova of Antananarivo. Of this cultural heritage only remain some walls blackened by the flames. The palace is currently in phase of rehabilitation. One can translate Rova (to pronounce Rouv') by walled camp, or fortified place, it was once surrounded by a fence made of pointed wooden pickets. It was also the place of residence of a prince or a king. Situated on the top of a hill or a rock, its privileged position assured an ideal defense and observation post and permitted to entrench in case of an attack. Until the end of the monarchy, the tombs of the sovereigns were built within the Rova.

Architecture
The monumental door of Rova
The front door of the Rova is over headed by the emblem of the "Voromahery" (the eagle, which is a powerful bird), symbol of the royal power.

The house of Jean Laborde
Situated in the district of Andohalo, it shelters today the radio of the French cultural centre and cultural exhibitions. Back from his exile in 1861, Jean Laborde, appointed as the consulate of France , had this house built, finished in 1862. The concession of Jean Laborde overhangs the district of Mahamasina that was then a field of military operations. All made of wood and surrounded by a veranda, Jean Laborde liked to receive his friends there. In fact, in 1870, he built another house close by to accommodate his guests, which he named "Maromiditra" (where there are a lot of visitors).

The temple of Ambohipotsy
Built in 1863, this temple was set up right where the Christian Malagasy were executed during the reign of Ranavalona 1st. The English architect William Pool was the architect. The inauguration took place November 17, 1868 in presence of the Queen Ranavalona II and her Prime minister.

The temple of Ampahamarinana
On the west of the Rova. It overhangs all Mahamasina

The cathedral of Andohalo
Halfway to the Rova

The cathedral Saint Laurent
In Ambohimanoro, on the way to the Rova

The Prime minister's tomb
Inspired from Hindu style, built in 1835 by Jean Laborde at Isotry. It is an imposing funeral monument, in the image of the power of the Prime ministers who led the country at the end of the XIXe century (from Rainiharo 1835-1852, to Rainilaiarivony 1864-1895).

The palace of Ambohitsorohitra
In full administrative district, close to Antaninarenina. It is the former residence of the Governor. Today used by the services of the Presidency.

THE 12 SACRED HILLS
The Palace of AMBOHIMANGA 21km to the North of Tananarive – RN 5: Capital of ANDRIANAMPOINIMERINA for the reunion of the Imerina.

The Hill of AMBOHIDRATRIMO 17km to the north of TANA – PK 13 – RN 4: built by the damned son of the queen ANDRIAMASINAVALONA .
According to beliefs: a stone engraved breast is there for women who want a baby or a pregnant woman who want to give birth to a boy: make a donation there.

The hill of AMBOHITRABIBY: place of reign of Kings Rabiby and Ralambo who generalize the eating of zebu meat.

The hill of ILAFY: 10km from TANA: place of vacation of merina kings. Residence of RADAMA II: royal home

ANALAMANGA where the Queen's Palace is set up, ALASORA, IMERIMANJAKA, ANTONGONA, ANTSAHADINTA, NAMEHANA, AMBOHIJOKY, IKALOY

MUSEUM
Museum of art and Archeology of the University of Madagascar
Address: 7, làlana Dokotera Villette – ISORAKA
TEL: 22 210 47

Exhibition of traditional handicrafts
Opening hours: From Monday to Friday - 08h to11h 30 and 16h to 17h

Art and Archeology Center - ANALAKELY
TEL: 22 273 56
Exhibition of ancient items
Opening hours: From Monday to Friday - 08h to11h 30 and 14h to 16h

National Geology Museum – AMPANDRIANOMBY
Tel: 22 403 19
Exhibition of stones and ores
Opening hours: From Monday to Friday - 08h to11h and 14h to 16h

Botanical and zoological park – TSIMBAZAZA
TEL: 22 311 49
Opening hours: 7/7 from 09h to 17h

Museum of Paleontology : bones and fossilized remains from excavations of the island, eggs of Aepyornis
(gigantic prehistoric bird of 3m, weight: 500kg, egg capacity: 7 to 9 liters )

Botanical Park Arboretum: Palm grove where you can find 110 foreign and Malagasy species
(Ravinala: traveler tree – emblem of the Island , Baobab trees, Aloe……, xerophilous plants)

Zoological park: endemic fauna
(lemurs: 21 of the 35 species, lizards, chameleon, birds…)

Vivarium: endemic reptiles

Collection of naturalized butterflies

Museum of ethnography: History of the contribution of human beings giving rise to the Malagasy culture

MARKET

Exhibition stands (on the road to Ivato international Airport)

Handcrafts market of ANDRAVOHANGY

CENAM and IVOARA 67 HA

Pavillons ANALAKELY

Pochard SOARANO