Culture of Victoria. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

A starting point for landmarks and sights exploration of the Mahe island should be the Revolution Ave as in close vicinity to the place tourists will find several remarkable historical objects among which there is an ancient church of England. After observation of the architectural landmark tourists should necessarily proceed to a crossroad placed close to the church. There travelers will also find another interesting object of the island. A traffic light installed on the crossroad is a real landmark peculiar to the island. The matter is that this is the only traffic light existing in the resort.

The main symbol of the island is considered to be the Clock Tower which is located in the Independence Ave. The tower presents a small copy of the Little Ben in London. The height of the tower is a bit more than 3m. It is painted in silver and nicely decorated with lanterns. The opening of this monument was held in 1903. The tower is commemorating Queen Victoria whose name the capital and the only city of the island has inherited.

A downtown area of the island is considered to be the Francis Rachel street however it features interesting landmarks and sights as well. The street hosts a small mosque which looks amazing sinking in wild greenery of palm trees. In the neighborhood tourists will find modern offices, samples of contemporary architecture as well as popular gastronomy destinations of the island. The same interesting and tourist attracting place is considered to be the 5th June Ave which hosts the most remarkable and significant landmark of the island. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

A monument, bearing a symbolic name of Zonm Lib meaning free man, reminds local people and guests of the island of significant historical event being the social revolution of 1977. The island features another symbolic monument named the Bicentennial Monument. Its opening was held in 1978 to commemorate the anniversary of the beginning of the reclaiming of the land.

The Victoria Ave is a must visit place on Mahe being the best destination for hiking. Tourists will discover several majestic buildings of the Colonial epoch as well as the building of Parliament and the national library. This is exactly the place of location of the most visited cultural establishment of the destination being the National History Museum. Among other significant landmarks and sights of the island the Cathedral of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is best worth visiting. The church was established in the Colonial epoch. The building of the church has never been scale reconstructed. That is why the church appears to visitors in its initial look. The Market Street is another must visit place in Mahe as it has already turned to a unique landmark being symbolic of the island.

Victoria Market is considered the most colorful place in Seychelles. It is here that you can explore a rich local culture and get into its spirit. It is also a great place for shopping where you can buy souvenirs, fruits, and fish. Find time to take a walk along Pointe Conan, a small, cozy village famous for being clean, well-groomed, and framed by beautiful houses. This is one of those places that make you get away from the worldly fuss and spend a pleasant time, forgetting about the existence of any problems.

Among the noteworthy religious sights of the Seychelles capital is Tempio Hindu located near Market Street. Even though the temple building is quite small, its sophistication and inviting atmosphere make it especially attractive. As befits Hindu temples, everything looks very colorful inside and out, there are many statues of deities all around, and it smells of incense. In the city, you can find not only the Hindu temple but also Victoria Mosque, which stands near the already mentioned Seychelles National Library. The shrine is open to everyone, regardless of religion.

Local museums are worth a visit, too. For example, this is the Seychelles Natural History Museum, thanks to which one can get acquainted with the local flora and fauna. Despite its small size, the museum is attractive for its quite unusual collection. Here you can also see children's handicrafts, paintings (besides figurines depicting various animals). Kenwyn House is the oldest colonial mansion, so its visiting is a great idea for those who want to feel the atmosphere, admire the beautiful interior, and learn more about the colonial past of Seychelles. And yes, you can also buy souvenirs here.

Victoria has many other unique natural attractions, which look much more beautiful from a bird's eye view - for example, from Mirante la Misere Viewpoint. It is from here that you can admire the most magnificent views of Victoria beaches, Eden Island, and windmills. Of course, it's worth taking a couple of great photos to surprise your loved ones with picture-like views. Baie Ternay Marine National Park, which is traditionally considered a favorite place of scuba divers, is worth a visit due to its natural beauties.

Copolia Trail is especially popular with hikers. Keep in mind that ascents and descents are quite steep, so it's advisable to prepare appropriate shoes and visit the park as part of a tour. But all the efforts expended will definitely worth it - here you can see the unique Seychelles flora, including wonderful water lilies and carnivorous Nepenthes. It'd be great to go check out the Tea Factory and learn all about the tea production on the islands, as well as Morne Blanc View Point - to enjoy the fantastic views it offers.