Tuesday , 23 April 2024
enfrit
About 7 miles away in the west from the capital city, the hill of Ambohidratrimo offers a very ideal vantage point over the eastern side of Antananarivo city. From there, the capital city’s central hill, Manjakamiadana and its Queen’s Palace clearly protrudes from the horizon. Yet, Ambohidratrimo happens to be much less famed by its military advantage than by its popularity among lovers and lazybones in search of a quiet place, for the access to the area is quite easy. One mere bus ride actually leads to the location of the ancient palace and the royal graveyard.

Ambohidratrimo, the Rebel’s hill

As expected, the hill is nowhere short of historical relevance. During King Andriamasinavalona’s years on the throne of Antananarivo, in the years 1700, Ambohidratrimo was home to one of his sons named Andriatompoinimerina (no link with Andrianampoinimerina, the King who tackled the unification of whole island in 1787 and achieved it in 1810). For looking down on this share of inheritance held as unworthy of his status, the young lord of Ambohidratrimo decided to turn against his father, Andriamasinavalona. To his death, he was never forgiven, and not allowed to rest in peace inside the royal graveyard.