Named in honour of the explorer Pierre Paul François Savorgnan de Brazza, this capital was founded in 1880, during the colonisation of Central Africa.
Today, more than a third of the population of the Republic of Congo lives in Brazzaville, and numerous non-agricultural jobs thrive there, making it the country’s financial and administrative capital.
At first glance, Brazzaville seems unremarkable. And yet, spend some time there and it surprises, revealing itself as a pleasant capital with an almost retro charm: a powerful, majestic river, decaying colonial residences, wide avenues, the delicate old mango trees of the well-to-do districts. Nonetheless, this is very much an African capital, with its bustling markets, small street vendors, muddy alleyways where one can get stuck, its swarms of bush taxis, and so on.
Its dense, wild vegetation contrasts with its neatly trimmed public gardens, and the opulent banana, mango and palm trees planted along the plots.
Strolling through the districts of the Congolese capital, you can admire historical, cultural and religious landmarks: the Place du Sacrifice Suprême, the mausoleum of Pierre Savorgnan, Sainte-Anne Basilica, the National Museum of Congo, the Basin Museum, the Poto-Poto painting school, and more. This city holds many surprises in store, such as the Loufoulakari and Béla waterfalls (75 km south of the city), the Nguela hole and the beaches along the cataracts of the mighty Congo River. Also worth seeing: Plateau Ville with its craft markets, and numerous galleries for lovers of African art.
