Douroula
Burkina Faso · Boucle du Mouhoun · 292 m
Description
Douroula holds the oldest evidence of iron production found anywhere in Burkina Faso, reaching back to the eighth century before Christ. It is the first of five sites inscribed together by UNESCO as the country's ancient ferrous metallurgy landscape, alongside Tiwêga, Yamané, Kindibo and Békuy. Standing natural-draught furnaces of clay rise among the fields, some still to full height, with slag heaps, ore mines and the traces of the settlements that worked them. Smelting stopped generations ago, but village blacksmiths still forge tools here and keep their ritual place in the community.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 day
Travel season
Best time to visit: November – March
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Ancient Ferrous Metallurgy Sites (UNESCO)
- Standing natural-draught furnaces
- Slag heaps & ore mines
- Village blacksmith forges
- Mouhoun river valley farmland
- Dédougou market(Day trip)
- Festima mask festival in Dédougou (approx. March)(Day trip)
Getting there
- Nearest airports:
- OUA, BOY