Abuja mosques. Abuja - capital of Nigeria Great Mosque in Kano

Abuja is a relatively young city; it began to develop rapidly only 4 decades ago. At the same time, the last part of the improvement work according to the plan should be completed only by 2020.

Despite the fact that the city is part of Africa, which most people associate with colorful savannahs with their unique wildlife, Abuja looks quite European. There are restaurants, clubs, cozy hotels, spa centers, buildings with interesting architectural designs. So tourists who decide to visit the Arab north of the African continent will be quite comfortable in Abuja.

This city is the successor to Lagos, located in the southwest of the country, which was the capital of Nigeria until 1991. In a short time, Lagos became the most populous city in Africa, living conditions there declined, and the country's leadership urgently decided to find a more suitable place for itself. The choice fell on Abuja, and there were several reasons for this.

The city was founded in 1828, civilization came here too slowly, which means that the problem of overpopulation will not overtake it soon. The location in the center of Nigeria, which provides convenient access to the city, also played a role. Another argument in favor of this choice was the ethnic, social and religious heterogeneity of the region, because the dominance of at least one population group would entail a lot of problems.

The city is divided into six districts, five of them are reserved for residential areas and government institutions, the central one is built up with the presidential complex. The plan of the capital was designed by the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, whose urban planning works are known throughout the world.

Thus, today Abuja is a small but actively developing city with excellent ecology.

Roads connect the capital with the main regions of the country, and through the Nnamdi Azikiwe air gate, communication with other states is maintained. Political conferences are held here, and the city is the cultural center of modern Nigeria.

Abuja National Mosque

Against the background of ordinary city buildings, the majestic and monumental building of the National Mosque of Abuja cannot hide from the attention of tourists.

On fine days, the golden domes sparkle in the sun, and the spectacle is truly stunning. The façade of the mosque is decorated with Arabic writings, but the interior, as expected, is not replete with decorative elements. However, everyone who enters is amazed by this huge bright space, not divided by columns, bright carpets, huge chandeliers and a dome with a star image. Devotees of other religions can also enter the building, but they can only get inside when there are no believers here to pray.

There is a small museum on the territory of the mosque, where everyone can look at wonderful examples of Islamic art.

Presidential Palace on Mount Aso Rock

The Presidential Palace on Mount Aso Rock is the residence of the current head of state, Muhammadu Buhari.

Its construction was completed in 1991, after which the official transfer of the capital to Abuja took place.
In the palace, the president holds business meetings, meets with foreign colleagues and arranges banquets for important foreign guests. Neither curious tourists nor equally curious local residents are allowed into the territory of the residence; nevertheless, the palace is considered a city landmark due to its location.

Aso Rock is not just a mountain. Firstly, it offers a wonderful view of Abuja. Secondly, it is a cultural and historical asset of Nigeria. During various wars, people hid in its caves, leaving traces of their stay here in the form of rock paintings and messages carved on stone. Third, despite the fact that most of the population is nominally Muslim or Christian, belief in spirits and the forces of nature remains strong among the people. And it was on Mount Aso Rock that the Nigerians settled their spirits. So for the indigenous population this place is sacred.

National Church in Abuja

The number of Christians in Abuja and throughout Nigeria is as large as the number of Muslims, which is why, along with the National Mosque, there is also a National Church in the main city of the country.

According to the original plan, the temple was supposed to begin receiving its first parishioners back in the 80s of the last century, but funding for the project was unexpectedly stopped, construction was frozen, and the future of the Christian church became foggy for almost two decades. However, at the beginning of the 21st century, construction work continued, and on the eve of the 45th anniversary of the country's independence, the temple was commissioned.

This magnificent neo-Gothic building borrowed from classical Gothic the pointed shape of windows and doorways, as well as wonderful stained glass windows, but modern architectural trends are more visible here: the asymmetrical facade, broken lines, sharp corners, irregular roof shape. The tall bell tower that stands apart from the general ensemble also stands out.

Millennium Tower

The Millennium Tower is the tallest building in Abuja and is being built as part of the city's beautification programme. Its construction began in 2006. According to the idea of ​​the Italian architect Manfredi Nicoletti, from whose famous works one can recall, for example, the extravagant Central Concert Hall, also called the “flower of the desert”, in Astana, the tower should become part of the city cultural center, which, however, is also still under construction. but in the near future it will open its doors to its first visitors.

Despite the ongoing work, the tower looks very, very impressive. In the future, tourists will find all the same entertainment that can be expected from skyscrapers: an observation deck at a high altitude, a restaurant where you feel like you are soaring above the clouds, and a modern shopping center.

Millennium Park

The city's largest recreation area, Millennium Park, covers an area of ​​32 hectares and is the best place for leisurely walks, as any local resident will surely confirm.

The opening of the park in 2003 was attended by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and Queen Elizabeth II herself and Prime Minister Tony Blair came.

The same well-known Manfredi Nicoletti, into whose hands more than one city attraction was given over, worked on the park project. He decided to divide the Millennium into two parts. By visiting the first, vacationers will be able to form a general idea of ​​the flora and fauna of Nigeria. It is in this part of the park that there is a garden of tropical birds and butterflies. Fountains, masterpieces of landscape design, and picnic areas are located in the second part of the park. It’s a great place to escape the midday heat, when the air heats up to +40 °C, and it seems that there is no escape from the sweltering heat.

Leisure

In order to see the numerous predators and herbivores that the African continent is famous for, it is not necessary to book a safari tour to the savannah. For starters, you can head to the Abuja National Zoo. It is divided into two zones. In the first there is a small park with a play area for children, while in the other there are enclosures with wild and some domestic animals.

Visitors may be interested in a corral with horses that can be ridden. In the second zone you can see the king of animals, the lion with his pride, giraffes begging for food, calm and even friendly buffalos, turtles, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, monkeys, birds of prey and other animals of Africa.

Fans of dancing from dusk to dawn should visit the Kryxtal Lounge, a popular nightclub in the city. Here, DJs always play good music, the bar serves high-quality alcohol, and the crowd is quite decent, so a great time is guaranteed.

After a good rest, sometimes you need another portion of good rest. For relaxation, head to The Spa at True U. Here, clients will be offered a massage room and beauty treatments for face and body. The center offers services not only for women, but also for men. At The Spa at True U you can also visit the gym, take a dip in the pool, warm up in the sauna, drink freshly squeezed juice and even change your hairstyle.

How to get there

There are no direct flights to Abuja from Russian cities. You will have to fly with one or more transfers. Flights are operated by British Airways, Turkish Airlines and Emirates together with S7. The minimum cost of round trip tickets from Moscow is 45,000 RUB.

Local transport

The situation in Abuja is not as tense as in Lagos, but tourists are not recommended to travel around the city alone, especially at night. Private taxis in Abuja are generally safe, motorcycle taxis less so. If you plan to move around Abuja a lot, you might want to consider renting a car with a driver.

There is also a bus network connecting different areas of the city.

Hailing a taxi in Abuja is not difficult. Most cars are green. Tariffs in the city (for example, for a distance of 5 km) N300 - N400, depending on your bargaining ability. It is better to agree on the price of the trip in advance.

Hotels

The range of hotels in Abuja is not the widest, and hostels that have never seen renovation, and the accommodation in which, by the way, is devoid of even a hint of comfort, can be counted on one hand.

Modern rooms, excellent service, good cuisine, free parking, the ability to order a transfer from or to the airport - these are not all the advantages of L’eola Suites. This is the most convenient hotel in the city and is often the home of business people who come to Abuja to attend to business matters. For them, L'eola Suites has a large conference room for negotiations and meetings, a banquet hall, the latest press and correspondence are delivered directly to the room, and breakfast is served every morning, so the problem of finding a place where it would be possible to refresh yourself in the morning clock, disappears. The hotel rooms are mainly classified as luxury. Each room has a balcony or terrace, a private bathroom with essential hygiene products, a king-size bed, air conditioning, a safe and free Wi-Fi.

The world-famous Sheraton hotel chain, which has carved out a niche in the tourism market for more than half a century, is represented in Abuja by the Sheraton Abuja Hotel (5*). The rooms here are clean, spacious, and equipped with everything you need, from toiletries in the bathroom to special facilities for guests with disabilities.

However, it cannot do without a fly in the ointment. When you stay at the Sheraton, you can't help but feel that many of the rooms and common areas need renovation to live up to their billing standards. The hotel has a lot of entertainment that will help you spend your evening and daytime hours pleasantly. Guests can enjoy a massage room, a sauna and a fitness center. Here you can play ping-pong or tennis, dance in a nightclub or try to win the jackpot in the casino.

Another worthy accommodation option that will not leave even the most discerning guest indifferent is Tranquil Mews Hotel (4*). Here you will find excellent value for money. So, for double occupancy in a superior room with a hydromassage bath, a king-size bed, air conditioning, TV and free Wi-Fi, you will have to pay only 76 USD. Breakfast is included in the price. For an additional fee, you can order food in your room, rent a car or use the transfer upon arrival or going to the airport.

Restaurants

If you want to enjoy traditional African dishes and are not ready to be completely immersed in local reality, you should opt for a European-style cozy and comfortable establishment called Nkoyo. Having studied the menu of this restaurant, you hardly find anything exotic.

Beef, chicken, fish or grilled king prawns - it would seem that all this can be tried in any European city. But the peculiarity of all dishes lies in the unique mixture of Nigerian seasonings. This mixture mainly gives the treat a spicy taste, so if you are not a fan of hot pepper, warn the waiter about this. Among the original dishes that cannot be tasted anywhere except in Africa, the assortment includes a variety of soups, for example, traditional ogbono and banga. The recipe for any of the soups presented on the menu is variable. One or another set of vegetables and herbs is mandatory, but the choice of fish, meat or chicken broth is up to the visitor.

A bit of African cuisine and a wide range of Indian treats can be found at the Masala Wahala restaurant. Cooking most dishes here is not complete without adding curry. Chicken curry, lamb curry, seafood curry, spinach curry - if you love this spice as much as the Indians do, Masala Wahala's cuisine is sure to suit your taste. There is also a special vegetarian menu. Signature dishes: dal makhni soup, masala dosa and kadai paneer.

A colorful local establishment where you can get acquainted with the culinary traditions of another African country, Ethiopia, is Saba Ethiopian Restaurant. The food here is served in accordance with Ethiopian traditions: all dishes are served on traditional injera tortilla, which replaces dishes and cutlery. However, you can use your usual fork and knife. As for drinks, it is definitely worth trying Ethiopian beer, honey wine or aromatic coffee.

For European cuisine, head to 355 Steakhouse and Lounge. Steaks, seafood pasta, grilled salmon, Mexican tortilla, Greek and Caesar salad, chocolate brownie and creme brulee dessert - all these dishes can be found on the restaurant's menu.

Shopping

In the business district of Abuja there is an absolutely charming village of arts and crafts that does not fit in with the surrounding buildings. The small mud houses with thatched roofs are trade pavilions, but for those completely unfamiliar with the traditional way of life of African countries, they are already interesting exhibits in this extensive art exhibition.

Naturally, this village is largely touristic, because no matter how many travelers buy figurines, jewelry, paintings, national costumes, bags, musical instruments, African masks and other amazing handicrafts. The first price that the merchant tells you will definitely be overpriced, but that’s the beauty of shopping at the market - you can offer your own terms of the deal.

Another center for Nigerian crafts is Nike Art Gallery. Here they sell paintings made not only by amateur artists, but also by professionals, which is why prices for such works reach up to 10,000 USD, and in exceptional cases exceed this amount. At reasonable prices, they sell here, for example, carved wooden figurines, beaded jewelry and paintings, bright batiks, a variety of fabrics with fancy patterns and festive African clothes.

One of the significant landmarks of Abuja is the National Mosque, built in 1984. This is the most recognizable religious building in the city and receives a huge number of visitors every year. The mosque is also open to the non-Muslim population during free time from prayers.

The total area of ​​the premises is 20 thousand square meters. At the corners of the main building there are four minarets with spiral staircases inside, the height of which is 120 meters. The prayer hall is a spacious room without columns, crowned with one large and four small golden domes. They sparkle in the sun and are the most impressive sight in Abuja. The rings of the huge chandelier contain Quranic inscriptions.

The building has an administrative block, including offices, a conference room and a library. On the territory of the mosque there is a small museum, which displays excellent collections of ceramics, attributes of Muslim art and stone engravings.

Great Mosque in Kano

The Great Mosque of Kano was built for Muhammad Rumfa in the 15th century. In 1950, the dilapidated structure was rebuilt, and miraculously the mosque’s former grandeur was preserved. It is one of the most recognizable buildings in the city and receives a huge number of visitors every year.

The total area of ​​the premises is about 20 thousand square meters. The luxurious main building is topped with a green dome, at the base of which there are small windows for natural light. On either side of it there are two minarets about 60 meters high, with spiral staircases inside. The prayer hall is an octagonal spacious room without columns, the walls of which are decorated with Koranic inscriptions. The rich interior of the mosque is made of fine openwork carvings with floral patterns.

On the second floor of the building there is a small museum displaying Islamic relics and works of Muslim art.

Currency: Naira

Official language: English

Abuja became the capital of Nigeria on December 12, 1991. Before this, the capital was Lagos. The city of Abuja is divided into six districts, and the Central District is home to the Presidential Residence.

Nigeria is a country that annually attracts tourists from different parts of the world. Everyone should take the time to visit Abuja and see the sights of the capital. In reality, not in photos, Abuja looks even better! That is why the capital of Nigeria has been attracting tourists for many years.

Sights of Abuja

- Abuja National Mosque was built in 1984. The square structure is framed on four sides by magnificent high-rise columns with spiers, and the main gilded dome crowns the mosque. The mosque's premises include: a main prayer hall, a library, a conference room and a religious school.

Built for followers of a new religious movement in 2004. After completion of construction, the church became a landmark in Nigeria for its interesting architectural design.

central bank Federal Republic of Nigeria. Until 1959, Nigeria was part of the area of ​​activity of the British West Africa Currency Office, established in 1913 in London, which issued the common currency of the British colonies in West Africa - the West African pound. The Central Bank of Nigeria was established in March 1958 and began operations on July 1, 1959.