BabsTours(1): A Trip to Mapo Hall, Ibadan

#271218

Mapo Hall
Location: Ibadan, Nigeria

Okay, as part of our trip to Ibadan; I and Sinmiloluwa visited this iconic structure in the heart of Ibadan, and to be honest it beat my expectations.

See: You want to see where next we visited.

Here is a review of this icon of Classical Architecture:

Located on the top of Mapo hills, and comissioned in 1929 by Captain Ross during  the colonial rule of the British in Nigeria.

Built on 5969 acres of land and surrounded by different roads, and its major entrance is facing Ogunmola street.

The cost of construction was estimated to be €24,000 and spanned a period of 4 years from 1925-1929.

Mapo Hall is famous for its seven columns symbolic of the seven hills upon which Ibadan was built. Over the years, Mapo hall had hosted major social and political events in Ibadan. (Wikipedia-Mapo hall)

What to do at Mapo Hall?

• Attend a social event such as a wedding.
• Attend a political meeting
• Go sightseeing and take awesome pictures; which is exactly what I and Sinmi went to do.

The hill on which the hall is located gives yoy a breathtaking view of the city.

Our trip to the hall gives one an insight into the soul of the city. Ibadan is a lovely city.

What I love about Mapo hall

• The colonial classical style Architecture of the hall; as a graduate of Architecture and history myself, I'm dazed by the beauty of this edifice. 

• The building is well maintained. I actually loved the fact that the classical elements of the building such as the stucco used as wall finish is still been maintained. It was last renovated under the leadership of Alao-Akala(Former Governor of Oyo state).

• The hall is air-conditioned! that's just great!

I and Sinmi would really loved to have gone up but we were racing against time. Maybe on our next visit we  would get a better look.

In conclusion

We met local guides at the entrance who were quite friendly, advised that we don't only take pictures but also read up on the history of the building.

Another point of note is that the hall shares the same premises with the local government sectariat.

In one word: FANTASTIC!!