10 Historical Places In Mauritius To Visit In 2021 That Tells A Great Deal About This Country!
May 14, 2021
Cover Image Credit: wikipedia
The island country of Mauritius is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations around the world. Known for its beaches, flora and fauna as well as picturesque scenery, Mauritius is a multicultural place, home to people of Indian, African, French, and Chinese ancestry. The tropical climate of the island attracted the Europeans here, which made its history quite noteworthy. The country was ruled by the Dutch, French, and the British between the sixteenth and twentieth century. There are many must-visit historical places in Mauritius, which will help you understand the culture of the place better.
10 Best Historical Places In Mauritius
If you’re planning a vacation in Mauritius then make sure to add these historical places in your checklist and discover the mysterious and mystifying facts about these ancient heritages.
- Aapravasi Ghat
- Baie de l’Arsenal
- La Route du Thé
- St. Aubin House
- Beau Plan Sugar Mill
- Martello Tower
- Eureka House
- Le Morne
- Matthew Flinders Monument
- Citadel Fort
1. Aapravasi Ghat
Image Credit: New Generation Media by flickr
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Aapravasi Ghat, or Immigration Depot, is a complex of buildings which were used back in the day for bonded labourers from India. The place, located on the seaside, now houses an interpretation centre. Guided tours help gain more knowledge about different structures and remains found here. Life-size models are also added to the paraphernalia, making the place more real and striking.
One of the most significant historical places in Mauritius, the depot holds a mirror to the past and practices of colonialism. Between the years 1850 to 1923, almost five hundred thousand people were brought here to be shipped to different colonies of Britain around the globe.
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2. Baie De l’Arsenal Or Arsenal Bay
The ruins of a French Arsenal can be found in this bay area known as Arsenal Bay, located in the north of the country. One of the lesser known historical places of Mauritius, the village of Arsenal was home to a French foundry, which produced cannons and all other kinds of military supplies. However, it was destroyed back in 1774 due to an explosion killing around 300 slaves. If you are staying at Hotel Maritim, you can actually visit the grounds to witness the ruins.
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3. La Route Du Thé (Bois Cheri)
Bois Cheri is a famous tea plantation, which is one of three most prominent stops on La Route du Thé. Located around twelve kilometres from the famous Rivière des Anguilles, these tea gardens cover an area of about 250 hectares. You can book a tour of the premises where you will get to know in deep about the history as well as the functioning of the plantation, making it one of the must-visit historical places in Mauritius.
There is an exhibition space here as well, showcasing the centuries of history of this place. At the end of the tour, you can sample teas.
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4. St. Aubin House
One of the best historical places in Mauritius, the plantation of St. Aubin goes back almost two hundred years. The factory was shifted in the seventies and the estate no longer deals in sugar. However, the lawns of this huge house are now home to a rum distillery. There is a vanilla house, spice garden, tropical garden here as well. You will be accompanied by a guide on your walk around the house and its different parts including the famous sugar factory. The five-course Mauritian lunch here, focussing on palm, mango, and pineapple, also sets the mood right.
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5. Beau Plan Sugar Mill
Another sugar factory, the Beau Plan serves as a museum, placing it on every list of top historical places in Mauritius. The exhibition here covers the tale of sugar, crisscrossing with the history of the island, rum trade as well as the practice of slavery.
The tour will take anywhere from two to three hours. The factory itself was started back in 1797, and it was closed down on the turn of the century in 1999. The museum also has videos as well as interactive sessions where you can gain more knowledge about the history of the place. Oh, and at the end of the tour, everyone gets to taste around fifteen types of sugar, all of which were first invented in Mauritius itself.
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6. Martello Tower
Image Credit: Aitoff by Pixabay
The five towers were built back in 1800’s by the British to protect their colony from the French, who apparently were trying to instigate the slaves. The tower located at La Preneuse is now serving as a museum where experts explain the incredible architecture of the towers. Apparently, these towers are all three metres thick, with copper cannons which could shoot at a range of about 2 kilometres.
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7. Eureka House
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Built in the early 1800’s as a grand mansion, this place is a museum now, providing an insight into the colonial past of the country. The house itself bears characteristics of tropical architecture with about 109 doors and a large number of rooms to keep the place cool even in scorching summers. The place houses many antiques, pieces of furniture and maps dating back to French East India Company along with servant quarters and kitchens. Truthfully, this is the one historical building in Mauritius you should not miss, no matter what!
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8. Le Morne
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the place is undoubtedly one of the most famous places of historical interest in Mauritius. It is simply a mountain located southwest of the island, which provided shelter to a number of slaves who dared to run away from their masters back in the day. Given the place’s dangerous, inaccessible topography, the slaves who got away created their own communities here and stayed in the caves. The place is a huge symbol of their fight for freedom and the uncrushable human spirit.
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9. Matthew Flinders Monument
Built only 15 years back in 2003, this is one of the few historical monuments in Mauritius. The place is dedicated to Matthew Flinders, the English cartographer and explorer, who first identified Australia as a continent. It commemorates the two hundredth anniversary of his arrival in the country. Interestingly, when he first arrived on the island, he got imprisoned for six years as England and France were at war.
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10. Citadel Fort
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Also known as Fort Adelaide, this military building was built by the British back in the nineteenth century. You can enjoy panoramic views of the capital, Port Louis, as well as the harbour from the top. The barracks of the old times have been converted into boutiques where you can pick souvenirs up from.
Further Read: 10 Best Beaches In Mauritius And Their Key Attractions
If you are planning a trip to this country soon, do not forget to cover the above mentioned educational and historical places in Mauritius. Plan your Mauritius itinerary around these major attractions and they’ll surely make your trip incredible and fun while you also enjoy these historical places.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Historical Places In Mauritius
What is Mauritius most famous for?
Mauritius is a famous holiday destination with beautiful beaches, central plateau and the wildlife diversity. The island nation is known to have the rarest species of flora and fauna around. The island is also known for its great underwater marine life with exotic species of fishes and beautiful coral reefs.
Is May a good month to visit Mauritius?
The best time to visit Mauritius is in the months between May and December. The weather in May is a great mix of cool, dry and sunny and travelers can explore the island at their own pace. The island is known to have a tropical climate throughout the year and travelers can experience the best of beaches and food in these months.
How safe is Mauritius?
Mauritius is a very safe place to visit for a holiday. One of the safest countries in Africa the place is great for all kinds of travelers. However, travelers are advised to take care of their valuable to avoid any kind of theft.
Can one drink tap water in Mauritius?
Yes, Mauritius tap water is safe for drinking. In a test conducted in 2012 by the Mauritius Central Water Authority, the water in Mauritius met the norms set by the World Health Organization for drinkable water and hence it is safe for travelers to drink tap water.
Is Mauritius expensive?
Yes, Mauritius is more expensive than any other destination like Bali and Thailand. Since Mauritius is a famous honeymoon destination, one must be prepared to put the cost out of the equation if one is planning to go on a honeymoon. However, one can find a variety of historical places in Mauritius to visit.
What can travelers buy in Mauritius?
Travelers can buy a lot of souvenirs from Mauritius. Travelers can buy different types of rums, dodo souvenirs, colored earth, tea, bottle creations and jams from the different markets.
