Twelve sacred hills of Imerina

According to popular legend, King Andrianjaka (1610–1630) declared twelve hills in Imerina (the central region of the Highlands of Madagascar) to be sacred due to their historical, political or spiritual significance to the Merina people.

Most of these hills served as locations of the capitals of rival kingdoms conquered by Andrianampoinimerina and united under his rule, and many are also the seat of power of historic kings and queens of the Merina dynasty.

[7] Ambohidrabiby (or Ambohitrabiby)[1][2][4][5][6] (20 km north of Antananarivo): Site of the capital of King Ralambo (1575–1610), who is buried here, along with his Vazimba grandfather (or father-in-law) Rabiby, a renowned astrologer for whom the hill is named.

After several unsuccessful attempts to capture the hill by force, Andrianampoinimerina finally managed to successfully incorporate the territory into his kingdom by marriage with his first wife, Rambolamasoandro, princess of Ambohidratrimo and eventual mother of his son and successor Radama I.

Seat of power in western Imerina and the site of numerous well-preserved wooden aristocratic houses, one of the first 12 public schools built by James Cameron and other LMS missionaries under Radama I, and several important royal tombs dating back over 700 years.

[11] Ilafy[1][2][3][4][5][6] Latitude 18°51'16.63"S, longitude 47°33'54.43"E. (10 km from Antananarivo): The site of the capital of the kingdom of Andrianjafy (1770–1787), as well as a modest wooden vacation palace constructed by Radama II (1861–1863).

Imerimanjaka:[1][2][5][6] Site of the tombs of two vazimba queens: Rangita, who ruled her kingdom from this territory, and Rafohy, mother of Andriamanelo, the first King of the Imerina dynasty.