Historic capital of the Danxomè Kingdom, located 135 km from Cotonou, Abomey was founded in the 16th century by King Houégbadja. From 1625 to 1900, twelve kings succeeded each other at the head of the powerful kingdom of Abomey. With the exception of King Akaba, who used a separate enclosure, each king built his palace within an enclosure surrounded by adobe walls while retaining certain characteristics of the architecture of previous palaces in the organization of space and the choice of materials. The palaces of Abomey provide an exceptional testimony to a vanished kingdom.
The royal palaces of Abomey are the essential material evidence of the Kingdom of Dahomey which developed from the middle of the seventeenth century according to the precept stated by its founder, Houegbadja, "that the kingdom be always made greater". Under the twelve kings who succeeded each other from 1625 to 1900, this kingdom became one of the most powerful on the West African coast. The site of the royal palaces of Abomey covers an area of 47 hectares and consists of a set of ten palaces, some of which are built next to each other and others superimposed, following the succession to the throne. These palaces obey the principles related to the Aja-Fon culture and constitute not only the decision-making center of the kingdom, but also the center of elaboration of the craft techniques and the depository of the treasures of the kingdom. The site comprises two parts, since the palace of King Akaba is separated from that of his father Houegbadja by one of the main roads of the city and some residential areas.
These two areas are enclosed by partially preserved walls. The palaces present organizational constants because each is surrounded by walls and is articulated around three courtyards (exterior, interior, private). The use of traditional materials and polychrome bas-reliefs are important architectural features. Today, the palaces are no longer inhabited, but those of King Ghézo and King Glèlè house the Abomey Historical Museum, which illustrates the history of the kingdom and its symbolism through a desire for independence, resistance and struggle against colonial occupation.
