The palace, which was declared one of Nigeria‘s UNESCO Listed Heritage sites in 1999, is an architectural wonder. The Oba of Benin is the traditional ruler of the Edo people, and his palace has sacred cultural significance. The palace, which is centrally situated at the heart of the city, was erected by Oba Ewedo (1255 – 1280). 

It was later rebuilt by Oba Eweka II (1914 – 1932) after the 1897 war. A palace visit comes with dos and don’ts as regards traditions – one of the restrictions includes no wearing of black clothing, as black represents mourning and the Oba is seen as a deity who has no reason to mourn. Others include whistling (which is seen as summoning evil spirits) or pointing at the Oba or his chiefs, while dogs are not allowed due to sacrificial reasons. 

A tour guide will come in very handy to fully enjoy the experience. Benin City National Museum is home to a large number of Nigeria’s terracotta, bronze, and cast iron artefacts. In the 1940s, what was then the museum was privately located in the Oba’s Palace. It was relocated in the 1970s and became a public center. The museum holds three galleries and is one of the largest in terms of indigenous artefacts in Nigeria, making it a must-visit for history and cultural lovers.