Yhe statue of Dr. António Agostinho Neto, the first President of Angola

The elephant statue depicts a kneeling elephant, seemingly paying respect to Neto

Weapons used by the hunters and warriors

Ethnocentric display about Luanda's indigenous communities

Welcoming children who were in studies in the Museum

Monument to the Heroes of the Angolan Revolution, aka "Star Monument"

Museum of the Armed Forces housed within the São Miguel Fortress, dating back to 1576

Bronze monument honors the Portuguese explorer Diogo Cão

Looking out our veranda to a small warship

Luanda, Angola

March 18, 2025 in Angola ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

Today, the "The Changing Faces of Luanda".

We visited the Iron Palace first today, It is believed to have been designed and built by – or by someone associated with – Gustave Eiffel, builder of the world-famous icons, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Statue of Liberty in New York City.

Actually, no official record of it exists. It is believed to have been pre-built in the 1890s in France and was destined to be placed in Madagascar via boat. Instead, the building ended up in Angola's Skeleton Coast after the ship carrying it was grounded by the notorious Benguela Current. Portuguese rulers of the colony then claimed the ship along with all its contents, including the palace.

Next, we visited the Agostinho Neto Mausoleum. This obelisk-like concrete structure serves as the final resting place of Agostinho Neto, Angola's first president and national hero.

Finally, we visited the National Museum of Anthropology in Luanda.Read more