TOP TEN PLACES TO VISIT IN NIGERIA (NUMBER TWO)

[2] THE BENIN MOAT

From the ancient city of Benin in Edo State is the Benin moat which is said to have been built in 1460 which as at that time was the largest earthwork

in the world. The Obas {Kings} of Benin created the moat around the city as a defense line in order to dissuade or shelve off attacks from neighboring cities in ancient time.

The moat originally had a height of about 18 meters and a length of 1,200 kilometers. It was built to delineate the royal pricing of the Oba {Ruler of Benin} from the surrounding area. The walls consist of a set of inner and outer interlocking rings.

However, the Benin walls were eventually ravaged by the British in 1897.  And since then, modernization has contributed in diminishing many portions of the walls. Not withstanding, significant portion and stretches of the moat and walls still remain physically visible, and can be very much felt and adored by any lover of nature and history.

watch out for the number three tomorrow.................

written by Justice Agan