11. The Antsirabe Cathedral | Places to visit in Madagascar
The Our Lady of La Salette Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church situated in Antsirabe, the third-largest city of Madagascar. Before 1900, a small clay church was established by the French priest Father Dupuy. In 1908, missionaries built a church with a clock tower. With the establishment of the Diocese of Antsirabe in 1925, a larger church was commissioned by Monsignor François Dantin which was built by architect Father Joseph Michaud.
The church with three times the length and almost double the height along with a bell tower more than twice the earlier height was completed in 1931. The parish celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2005. The church acts as a pilgrimage site in the diocese for the feast day on 19 September annually.
12. Fahaleovantena Tribes Monument (Independence Tribes Monument)
Erected at Grande Avenue in Antsirabe, the monument is dedicated to the tribes of Madagascar. A large round stone tablet to its left features the head of zebu (cattle), names of the nineteen tribes that make up the Malagasy population, the word Fahaleovantena (Malagasy for independence) and the first two measures of the national anthem of Madagascar.
With its towering height and pousse-pousse (pulled rickshaws) lined in front, it instantly catches the attention of the tourists.
13. Gare Soarano | Places to visit in Madagascar
The central Railway Station in Antananarivo was built by French architect Fouchard and supervised by contractor Cornebois in 1908-1910. It gets its name Soarano meaning good water from the backfill it was constructed on right next to a fountain. This building, on the northern end of the Independence Avenue, was revamped in 2209 by Madagascar Estates Development Partners with only freight trains passing through the station.
Of the 2 storeys, the ground floor is occupied with retail shops while the first floor is an office space. The railway platforms serve as an open restaurant terrace where cultural events also take place. With a dial installed on the pediment, it displays the architecture of 19th century France.
14. Musée De La Photographie
The former Residence of the Mayors of Antananarivo has functioned as the Museum of Photography since 2018. Located on the hilltop of Antananarivo, it offers majestic views of the Malagasy capital.
The museum is a testament to Madagascar’s rich history with a collection of over 14,000 photos captured in two centuries, from 1860-1960. It is based on traditional Merina architecture with its double-pitched roof and a veranda with brick posts.
15. Madagascar Underground | Places to visit in Madagascar
Madagascar’s first and only hostel is located in Antananarivo. The building with its vibrant colours and welcoming entrance stands apart from the surrounding environment. It’s a breath of fresh air amongst the traditional vernacular and colonial French architecture.
Just a kilometre away from Lake Anosy, the hostel, apart from its boarding, lodging and dining facilities provides adventure sports and drivers for sightseeing.
