M'banza-Kongo

M'banza-Kongo was the capital of the Kingdom of Kongo, one of the largest states in all of central Africa, and it became world heritage for that reason rather than for what is still standing. The cathedral the Portuguese helped build in fifteen forty nine is among the oldest churches south of the Sahara and survives as roofless walls on the escarpment. The site of the royal court, the sacred tree and the tombs of the old kings are all marked. It is archaeology and one small museum, so expectations really should be set accordingly here.