Overview:

Benin City Walls and Moat are one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Nigeria and a key World Heritage Site. The walls and moats form a large outer defensive ring around ancient Benin City in what is now modern day Edo State. The walls were constructed with large mud bricks by the Edo people in a period spanning between the 13th and 17th centuries. They stand nearly 10 meters tall and are enclosed by a wide and deep moat that served as an extra protective measure. This complex defensive system was created to protect Benin City from invasion and and to serve as a symbol of power and wealth. Today, the walls and moats are a major tourist destination and are considered to be the definitive evidence of the power and sophistication of the indigenous cultures of Nigeria and an integral part of the history and culture of the region. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Nigeria
Prominent Features:

1. Built from roughly 800 AD until the end of the 17th century, the Benin City Walls and Moat are one of the oldest and longest defensive structures in the world, defended by the Edo-speaking people of Benin City. 2. Spanning an area of 4,800 km (3,000 miles) around the city, the walls were constructed with the aid of moats, sandy ditches, and tall mud embankments. 3. The walls provided both a physical and psychological barrier by protecting the inhabitants from external attacks and invasions as well as providing a sense of security and stability from within. 4. In total, there are 6km of defensive walls, 9km of moats, and hundreds of defensive redoubts and monuments. 5. The walls are made of earth, wood, and mud and are tested for their strength and flexibility every 3 years. 6. The walls are home to significant archaeological value, consisting of artifacts ranging from the 15th century through to the 18th century. 7. Apart from providing a sense of defense to the city, the walls also functioned as a means of communication in the past, in which messages were conveyed through drums and flags. 8. Today, the Benin City Walls and Moat are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protected and maintained as an important example of the past. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Nigeria.

History:

The Benin City Walls and Moat are remnants of the Edo Kingdom in present day Benin City, Edo State. They are a series of earthworks that form a system of fortification that encompasses the modern city center of Benin City. Benin City's city walls were once the largest south of the Sahara, standing more than 16 kilometers (9.9 miles) in circumference and spanning more than 5,000 hectares (12,000 acres). The history behind the walls and moat is steeped in legend and folklore going back thousands of years. Historically, Benin City was the home of the Oba (King) of the Benin Empire which lasted from 12th century AD to the mid-19th century. During this time, Benin City was fortified with walls and moats which saved it from numerous attacks. The walls were made of earthen and sandstone embankments, which were 15 meters (50 feet) in width and over 5 meters (15 feet) in height, and were designed with impressive architectural features including gatehouses and watchtowers. The purpose of the walls and moat were two-fold: to protect the empire from attack by rivals and invaders, and to serve as a symbol of the Oba’s and of the Benin Empire’s power. It has been written that the walls of Benin City were the first major edifice built by a sovereign government in West Africa. Despite its military might, Benin City was eventually overtaken by the British in 1897. Today the Benin City Walls and Moat remain largely intact and continue to be a site of major historical and archaeological importance. Visit one of the famous monuments of Nigeria with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Benin City Walls and Moat were built by the Oba (king) of the Benin Empire in the 16th century as protection from invaders. 2. The walls are believed to have once encircled the entire city and were up to 16-18 feet thick and 40-50 feet high. 3. The Benin City Walls and Moat is one of the most majestic features of pre-colonial Africa and the largest man-made structure in sub-Saharan Africa. 4. The Walls consist of four concentric rings of mud walls, punctuated by numerous gateways and enclosed by a deep moat. 5. The Walls and Moat are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site listing of 'The Benin City Walls of Benin City, Edo State in Nigeria. 6. The walls were constructed by the Benin people to protect their city from invasion. It is noted for its artistic beauty as it was covered with plaques and carvings depicting the history and legends of the Empire. 7. The moat was built to serve multiple purposes - to provide irrigation, act as a buffer and for defence. 8. The Benin City Walls and Moats have also served to define cultural identity and provide spiritual protection over centuries. It was believed that the walls were imbued with spiritual powers and could invoke the ancestors of the people of Benin. One of the historical monuments of Nigeria, it tells the story of a bygone era