Olumo rock located in Abeokuta, Ogun state is a popular tourist attraction. It has a rich history and awesome facts that will blow your mind.
Any visit to Abeokuta without stopping by Olumo Rock is widely regarded as incomplete. The popular Olumo Rock is located in Abeokuta South, Ogun State. It is a popular tourist attraction that attracts different people from around. It’s about an hour drive from Lagos and it’s very easy to navigate. Abeokuta means “under the rock” and it borrowed its name from this rock.
Brief History of Olumo Rock
The rock is a build up of granite rocks that have been existing for thousands of years. It was used as a fortress by the Egba people in the 19th century. The rock was used as a sanctuary for the Egba people during inter-tribal wars.
It is the monument that portrays their heroism and freedom in the wars. It equally represents a symbol of unity among the Egba people.
In 2006, Olumo Rock extensive renovations were carried out. The new tourism complex features a new restaurant (Sweet Sensation), museum, water fountain and a market where you can buy some awesome tie-and-dye arts and crafts.
9 Did you know facts about Olumo Rock
- It stands at 137 meters above sea level.
- No one has even fallen from Olumo rock. Legend has it that the gods protect people from falling.
- There is a tree that has leaves that never dithers irrespective of the weather. It is used for medicinal purposes.
- It has a spot at the top where legend has it that pause and blood came out the same time.
- There is an Olumo festival that holds around March.
- It has an elevator that can take you to the topmost part but it’s more fun to climb the stairs.
- There are small caves where Egba people were said to have hidden their wives and kids during the war.
- There are also holes dug in those caves where the Egba people used for grinding pepper, onions and so on.
- You can sight the old St. Peters Cathedral (first church in Nigeria), the Ogun River, the city’s beautiful central mosque, the Alake’s palace (royal king’s palace) and other significant places from the top.
If you have never been to Olumo Rock, you should add it to your bucket list already.
