Africa, often regarded as the cradle of humanity, boasts of various civilizations, some of which span across thousands of years. While most evidence of African civilization has been destroyed, there are still a few historical places that remain standing.
Many of these sites aren’t popularly known since there is a general belief that most of them have been destroyed. However, we are spotlighting some historical places that still exist today. The sites we chose hold centuries’ worth of cultural heritage and are also attributed to rich cultural history.
The list
The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
This place tops the list because, in the whole of the African continent, there are hardly any structures that can rival the architectural excellence of the Pyramids of Giza. They are perhaps the most recognizable landmark on earth and the oldest and only surviving structure of the Seven Wonders of the World. Built around 2500 BC, it consists of three pyramids, the tallest of which is measured at 147 meters. This was the tallest man-made structure on earth for nearly 4,000 years, only to be surpassed in 1311 by London’s Lincoln cathedral. On the eastern side of these structures lies another eye-catcher – the Great Sphinx!
Meroe, Sudan
With much of the world’s gaze on the pyramids in Egypt, little is known about a similar wonder sitting just 1,287 miles southwards. It is located in what was once a very powerful empire— Kush. With over 200 pyramids, Meroe holds the title of the city with the most pyramids on earth, not Egypt as is often believed. Despite being such a magnificent sight, it rarely receives visitors due to its location deep in the Sahara. Notwithstanding, this place is worthy of every bit of the attention it gets.
Robben Island, South Africa.
Forty years ago, this island was the last place a Black person would want to be. When apartheid was at its peak, South African dictators sent political critics and other “miscreants” here to rot and suffer for decades. Long dreaded by Black nationalists, it now stands as a symbol of nationalism. Here, the famous Nelson Mandela spent twenty-eight years in confinement. Already bestowed with the great honor of being a UNESCO World Heritage site, it stands as a reminder of South Africa’s dark past and how far its people have come.
The Ruins of Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe.
It is guilty of being one of the few surviving stone structures in Sub Saharan Africa. This led to European archaeologists wrongly attributing it as an ancient Phoenician/Greek civilization. It took the effort of English archaeologist David Randall-MacIver to prove they originated from an ancient African civilization. Its gigantic walls resemble the ancient Roman architectural structures. They’re indeed a testament to the architectural knowledge of the Shona people of Zimbabwe.
Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia.
In Northern Ethiopia, there lies a group of 12th-century churches cut entirely from large pieces of solid rock. The town is named after the Ethiopian King, Lalibela, who initiated the construction of these churches in the late 12th century. To this day, these rock-carved churches still draw thousands of pilgrims. It is also important to note that Ethiopia was the first country to adopt Christianity as an official religion.
Elmina Castle, Elmina, Ghana
This building is the oldest European structure in Sub Saharan Africa. Built by Portuguese traders in 1482, its main purpose was to exert Portuguese dominance over regional trade along the Gulf of Guinea. The Trans-Atlantic slave trade saw the castle used as a fort to hold enslaved people as they awaited their gruesome fate. Century-old chains and fetters used to restrain unlucky Africans can still be found in its dungeons.
Djenne, Mali.
Home to the Great Mosque of Djenne, it claims the title of the world’s largest mud structure. Originally built in the 13th century, the French colonial government built the present structure in 1907 after severely damaging the former. It is one of the greatest examples of the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style. It was one of the major learning centers in the Islamic World in ancient times.
Ogbunike Cave, Nigeria.
Ogbunike cave is regarded as a place of reverence. It served as a sanctuary for the natives of the village when they needed it. The main cave has 317 steps leading down to it, with 10 tunnels that lead to different directions. It has cultural, historical and spiritual relevance and has been regarded as a Heritage site by UNESCO.
These historical places hold a lot of history and are a testament to the brilliance of the African people and culture. They’re worth visiting. So, the next time you want to go on a tour, pick one of these locations and learn more about Africa’s wonderful historical heritage.