| Porto-Novo | ||
 | ||
| State | Benin | |
|---|---|---|
| Territory | Southern Benin | |
| Altitude | 38 m a.s.l. | |
| Surface | 110 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 264.320 (2013 census) | |
| Prefix tel | 229 | |
| Time zone | UTC 1 | |
Position
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| Institutional website | ||
Porto-Novo (former Hogbonu is Ajashe) is the capital of Benin.
To know
Porto-Novo was originally developed as an Empire-led slave trading port Portuguese. It is a port overlooking the homonymous lagoon, an arm of the Gulf of Guinea. Porto-Novo is the second largest city in Benin, but it is less important from a commercial and industrial point of view than the bustling Cotonou but it has many interesting features. The city is the agricultural center of the region, whose main product is palm oil.
In the center of Porto-Novo Portuguese and colonial buildings mix French along with modern buildings.
The city was originally called Ajashe by the Yoruba and Hogbonu by the Guns while the current name was given in 1730 by the Portuguese Eucaristo de Campos for its resemblance to the city of Port, and still shows significant Portuguese influence today.
Geographical notes
Porto-Novo is only 20 minutes from the beach and is only 12 kilometers from the border Nigerian East. The neighboring municipalities are Akpro-Missérété, Avrankou is Adjarra North, Sèmè-Kpodji to the south, Adjarra to the east and Aguégués West.
When to go
The average monthly temperature fluctuates during the year from 25 to 28 ° C. From April to July there is the main rainy season, the following one runs from September to November. There are also two dry seasons, the first runs from December to February and the other from July to September.
Humidity is important (75%) but the harmattan blows a cold and dry wind from December to January.
Background
Although historically the aborigines of the area spoke Yoruba, there appears to have been a wave of migration from the Allada region further west, which brought Te-Agbanlin and his group to the Ajashe region. This new group brought their own language with them and settled among the original inhabitants.
Porto-Novo was probably founded at the end of the 16th century by the gun people. It owes its name to the Portuguese (Porto-Novo means "new port"), who built a trading post there in the 17th century for the purpose of embarking slaves Africans headed for the Americas. In 1861, the British, which were active in the nearby Nigeria, bombed the city, The kingdom of Porto-Novo accepted French protection in 1863 in order to defend itself from the British encirclement. However, the neighboring kingdom of Abomey he did not tolerate the French presence and war broke out. In 1883 the French navy landed in Porto-Novo e Cotonou, and Porto-Novo was included in the colony French of Dahomey, of which in 1900 it became the capital.
The kings of Porto-Novo continued to rule the city, both officially and unofficially, until the death of the last king, Alohinto Gbeffa, in 1976. From 1908, the king held the title of Chef supérieur.
Many Afro-Brazilians settled in Porto-Novo after their return to Africa after the emancipation in Brazil. Brazilian architecture and foods are important to the cultural life of the city.
How to orient yourself
Porto-Novo: full screen map.Jardin Place Jean Bayol is a large square that contains a statue of the first king of Porto-Novo.
Neighborhoods
Ouando, a district 3km north of the city center, has a large market and quite lively nightlife.
How to get
By plane
Despite being the country's capital, the closest airport is in another city.
- 1 Cardinal Bernardin Gantin-Cadjehoun International Airport (IATA: COO) (TO Cotonou). It allows you to reach some of the major national airports, it is also the only international airport from which it is possible to reach some of the major airports Africans, L'Europe, in Belgium is France, and the Turkey. The structure is named after Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, a leading figure in the ecclesiastical world of Benin.
To cover the distance of 40 km that separates the airport from Porto-Novo, it is possible to take a taxi at a cost of 600 CFA.
By car
It is only an hour's drive from Cotonou.
There are pirogues departing from Porto-Novo that arrive in the vicinity of the less visited lakeside villages. For prices, ask around the lagoon, about 50m east of the bridge. There are no fixed prices, but expect to pay around 2,000 CFA for a round trip.
On the train
Porto-Novo is served by an extension of the Bénirail railway system.
By bus
Minibuses and taxis go to Cotonou regularly and are cheap (600 CFA for a 45/60 minute journey). You will most likely come to the large Dantopka market in Cotonou unless you choose to go down somewhere else first. It can be quite intimidating to get out of it especially at rush hour. You will immediately be surrounded by people who want to offer a ride. They will take your bags and start accompanying you to their motorbike or car, so make sure you have a clear idea of what to do before getting out of the car.
Also, from the Porto-Novo bus stations, there are taxis for Abomey is Lagos in Nigeria. To travel north, you have to go to the Ouanho market and look for a vehicle to your destination. Every hour or so, when they are full, the vehicles leave for Pobé is Kétou.
How to get around
By taxi
Traffic isn't overwhelming like a Cotonou. However, similarly to Cotonou, the best and easiest way to see Porto-Novo is via Zemidjan. A full day with a waiting driver should cost a maximum of 5,000 CFA.
What see
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- 1 Porto-Novo Ethnography Museum (Ethnographic Museum Alexandre Sènou Adandé or Museé Ethnographique de Porto Novo).
1,000 CFA. Museum installed in a colonial building built in 1922. Alexandre Sènou Adandé was an ethnographer, archivist and librarian. The Museum was created starting from the collections of the ancient Institut français d'Afrique Noire. It was opened to the public in 1966 and adopted its current name in 1993. The Museum contains more than a thousand pieces and objects representing the culture of Benin, including some notable Gèlèdé masks.
1,000 CFA. Museum installed in a colonial building built in 1922. Alexandre Sènou Adandé was an ethnographer, archivist and librarian. The Museum was created starting from the collections of the ancient Institut français d'Afrique Noire. It was opened to the public in 1966 and adopted its current name in 1993. The Museum contains more than a thousand pieces and objects representing the culture of Benin, including some notable Gèlèdé masks.- This museum allows an in-depth look at the past of the kings of Porto-Novo. Showing a good selection of fetishes, old King Yourba masks, costumes and some musical instruments.
- 2 Honmé Museum (Royal Palace of King Toffa or Palais Royal du Roi Toffa). 1,000 CFA. Ancient royal residence nowadays converted into a museum. Contains an example of Alounloun (Beninese musical instrument) and most of the exhibits are related to the period of King Toffa.
- Well-kept museum, rather simple, the palace allows you to see how the Beninese royals lived. 1883 was the year in which the king signed the treaty with the French, agreeing to hand over the land. The reign of Porto-Novo was one of the most enduring in Africa, until 1976.
- Mosque. The unique and perhaps most colorful building of the wholeWest Africa is the 19th century Brazilian style church now converted into a mosque. A must see. Its architecture was inspired by the churches of Salvador de Bahia.
- Governor's Palace (Palais de Gouverneur). Seat of the national legislator.
- 3 Museé da Silva. Celebrating the flu afro-Brazilian over the city, this fairly new museum offers a lot of variety. The museum park consists of a traditional house, a small library, an open-air cinema with films French and a hotel.
- Home of the Heavenly Church of Christ (Paroisse Mere de l'Eglise du Christianisme Celeste). The visit should be free. It is a Christian derivation that has grown all over the world. The church was founded by SBJ Oschoffa.
- Behanzin High School (Lycee Behanzin). The first secondary school in Benin. The school celebrated its centenary in 2015.
Events and parties
- Afro-Brazilian heritage festival.
In mid-January. Great festival of food, music and dance; definitely worth a look if you are in the area. To contact Museé da Silva for more information.
In mid-January. Great festival of food, music and dance; definitely worth a look if you are in the area. To contact What to do
- Songhai Center. The Songhai project has an interesting history and is a good example of a self-sustaining learning community. They attract students from all over theWest Africa for agricultural studies and are pioneers in waste management and enterprise. The complex includes a dormitory residence, beautiful outdoor conference centers, cyber cafes, nice restaurants and bars and a small fresh produce shop.
- I swim. There is a decent swimming pool near Ouando.
- Walking routes. Opposite the National Assembly, there are two beautiful parks with an outdoor patio / restaurant.
Shopping
There are about four supermarkets with a lot of variety. The largest are Champignon, Paniere, Universe 7, all located on the same boulevard through the city.
- Adjarra Market (10 km north of Porto-Novo). Every four days. This market is certainly one of the best in Benin. One can find unique types of tie dyed fabric, extraordinary pottery, unusual musical instruments, various voodoo ornaments and of course traditional market items.
- Ouando market. It is the largest market in the city.
How to have fun
Where to eat
Moderate prices
- Comme Chez Soi (On the western side of Rond-Point Ataké). Good cheap African food.
- Maquis Katchi Ambiance, Carrefour Catchi. Inexpensive place where the local specialty is wild mouse and it's pretty good.
- Mahi restaurant (Just south of Place Kokoyé). Generous meals in Beninese style, good prices.
Average prices
- Buvette Escale du Pont (Close to the bus station). Cheap drinks and good African menu.
- 1 Java Promo (In front of the National Assembly). Nice atmosphere, great service and good food.
- Casa Danza (One block south of the ethnographic museum). A good selection of more expensive western dishes and some Beninese food.
Where stay
Moderate prices
- Malibu hotels, ☎ 299 21 34 04. 3,500 CFA rooms. Very basic accommodation with an inexpensive restaurant attached
- Hotel La Détente, ☎ 299 21 44 69. 5,000 CFA rooms. The hotel includes a bar and restaurant, an outdoor terrace overlooking the lagoon, and clean rooms with showers and fans.
- Catholic mission (Located between Ouando and the city center).
High prices
- Museé da Silva, ☎ 299 21 50 71. 13,000 CFA rooms. Nice air-conditioned rooms, but located on a busy street so noise can be an issue.
- Beaurivage hotels (In the western part of the city), ☎ 299 21 23 99. 16,000 CFA rooms. Comfortable and air-conditioned rooms overlooking the lagoon. It has a restaurant with an extensive menu at affordable prices.
- Hotel Dona (Just north of the city center), ☎ 299 22 30 52. 17,000 CFA rooms. More expensive hotel but also nicer than the others. It has a restaurant with an extensive menu at affordable prices.
Safety
How to keep in touch
Internet
There are many internet cafes that work well especially in the city center. Prices are generally around 400 CFA / h.
Around
Useful information
The Benin Institute of Higher Studies is located in the city.
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Porto-Novo
Commons contains images or other files on Porto-Novo
