Sightseeing in Abuja - what to see. Complete travel guide

Abuja is the main city in Nigeria. The city celebrated its 25th anniversary as the capital of the country in 2016. There are no tensions between different religions in Abuja, and this fact became an important reason for selecting this city as the new capital. According to historical data, Abuja was founded in 1828. The settlement got its name after the emir of Abuja. Initially, the town looked like a military camp with advanced fortifications. With time, the economy and culture of the town were developing, turning a simple settlement into a large and important city.

Abuja is mostly a political and administrative center of the country rather than its cultural heart. As politicians say, Abuja is the birthplace of laws and regulations. There are not many industrial objects in the city, and this fact has a favorable impact on the environment of the region. Abuja is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, and it was the world’s fastest-growing city in the period from 2000 and 2010. The population of the city exceeded 1 million in 2011.

It is easy to find the center of Nigeria. Simply head to Aso Rock located on the outskirts of the city. This granitic rock is one of the main natural landmarks in the region. Head to the south from the rock, and you will reach Abuja. As the capital is a relatively young city compared to other cities in Nigeria, it has thoughtful and elegant planning. Its architectural landmarks will attract you with their diversity. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

If you happen to visit Abuja, don’t forget to see the National Mosque. This local landmark definitely deserves the attention of tourists. The building got a “cult” status in 1984. It is not hard to find the mosque because its minarets are visible from a distance. These minarets are tall, and each of them has a spire. The building itself has a square shape, and the four minarets mentioned above are built at the edges of the mosque. The golden cupola shines bright in sunlight, inviting tourists to step inside and explore its gorgeous halls.

Muslims make up the majority of population in Abuja. The mosque is the main building for these people. This is their sacred place, so no wonder why locals treat mosques with great respect and attention. They regularly visit mosques to pray. Local mosques are open for everyone willing to pray in silence except women.

Having visited this landmark of Abuja, you will see the splendor and glory of the 20,000-square-meter-large building. The main hall, the place where people pray, is a spacious hall that has no columns. A gorgeous lamp decorates the ceiling of the praying hall. It gives enough light to illuminate the whole place. If you take a closer look, you will notice that the lamp has intricate décor – quotes from the central religious text of Islam, the Quran.

Golden domes complete the look of this gorgeous architectural landmark. One dome is big, and others are much smaller. The four small domes are located at the edges of the building. Each of them has a sparkling golden color that looks particularly stunning in sunlight. It feels like the mosque emits light, creating a special magical place where people can talk directly to Allah without any difficulties.

Do you like exploring interesting museums? In this case, the National Museum is the right place to visit. It offers large collections of beautiful ceramics. Muslim art is like a magnet for all visitors, and stone gravures look completely unforgettable. If you like natural landmarks and tranquil places, then don’t forget to visit the beautiful Millennium Park. The picturesque area is perfect for understanding the harmony and atmosphere of this city.

Besides Muslims, Abuja is also home to Christians who built the National Church in 2005. This is one more place that guests of the capital shouldn’t forget to visit. Just like any other Christian shrine, the church is ultimately beautiful. Its skillfully made stained-glass windows look so enchanting that some tourists spend hours, looking at the scenes depicted on them. The divine service is impossible without organ music. Many people visit this church to listen to the church’s talented choir. Songs performed by his choir simply cannot leave visitors indifferent.

Tourists can reach Abuja by airplane – the city has an airport. Moreover, a network of highways connects Abuja to other cities of Nigeria. So, it is not hard to reach the destination point by both car and bus. Tourists can easily get to hotels or directly to the landmarks they are interested in from the airport if they get a taxi or use public transport that regularly takes passengers to and from the airport.