Overview:

Chief Egbo Bassey’s house is an historical landmark located in Calabar, which is the capital of Cross Rivers State in Nigeria. The house was once home to the former Cross River Governor, Chief Egbo Bassey. It is a two-storey building with a distinctive architecture. Built in the 1950s, the house is composed of a traditional African architecture blended with European, Islamic and even contemporary influences. The house stands out in the landscape, with its distinctive façade, white walls and two storeys. The ground floor is composed of a double-height veranda which is used for entertainment when Chief Egbo Bassey entertaining guests. Additionally, the ground floor also includes two reception rooms. The first floor houses a study and a lounge. Chief Egbo Bassey hosted many guests at his house in Calabar and the house still stands today in commemoration of his achievement in Cross Rivers State. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Nigeria
Prominent Features:

1. Baroque-style Architecture: The exterior of Chief Egbo Bassey's house features Baroque-style architecture, with ornate details such as intricate multi-colored shutters, intricate brickwork, and decorative window treatments. 2. Statues and Sculpture: The grounds of the house are decorated with numerous statues and sculptures, ranging from the traditional to the contemporary. 3. Spacious Courtyard: The house has a spacious courtyard surrounded by a tall, brick fence that provides a peaceful spot for outdoor relaxation. 4. Aquatic Garden: The lush aquatic garden is situated in the center of the courtyard, featuring a variety of vibrant water lilies, lotuses, and other aquatic plants. 5. Covered Patio: The covered patio offers guests a shady, comfortable spot to take in the sights and sounds of the courtyard. 6. Gazebo: The gazebo is a popular gathering spot, where guests can relax and enjoy meals amidst the lush vegetation and bubbling streams. 7. Guest Houses: The estate houses four guest houses for visitors, each of which is decorated with the utmost attention to detail and comfort. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Nigeria.

History:

The Egbo Bassey house is a historic monument located in Calabar, Cross Rivers State in Nigeria. The house was built in the early 19th century and is one of the oldest existing buildings in the city. It is a two-storey building belonging to Chief Egbo Bassey, a ruler of the Creek nation in the 1870s. Originally from Ikom in the present-day Cross Rivers State, he moved to Calabar in the early 19th century to participate in the slave trade. The Egbo Bassey house is an example of a traditional family house in Calabar that was influenced by European architectural styles. Built with mud, wood, and local materials, the house has French colonial-style windows and verandahs. It is rectangular in shape with a large central courtyard surrounded by enclosed rooms. These rooms include a kitchen, a large room believed to have been used for storing goods from the slave trade, and a shrine dedicated to Chief Egbo Bassey's ancestors. The walls of the house are decorated with wooden sculptures of animals and symbols. The Egbo Bassey house has been renovated several times over the years, and it is now a museum and a significant tourist attraction in Calabar. The house showcases the influence of traditional African and European architecture on Calabar’s culture and history. Visit one of the famous monuments of Nigeria with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Chief Egbo Bassey’s House is the oldest house in Calabar, and is one of the few surviving examples of colonial-era architecture in the city. 2. It was built in 1894 by Chief Egbo Bassey, a Chief of the region who made a fortune as a slave trader and merchant in the early 19th century. 3. The house is owned by the government, and was declared a national monument in 1976. 4. The house is built with mud-bricks and local timber, and the roof is supported by a series of wooden beams. 5. The house features massive carvedwooden doors and intricately patterned woodwork, as well as ornate terracotta roof tiles. 6. The house has served as a meeting place for prominent figures, including Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during their 2002 visit to Nigeria. 7. In 2013, the house was renovated and opened as a living museum, telling the story of the Bassey family and providing insight into the history and significance of Calabar. 8. The house has also been used as a backdrop for various Hollywood movies including the Academy award-winning Lincoln. One of the historical monuments of Nigeria, it tells the story of a bygone era