Fri, Nov 26th 2010, 22:05

What can I do when I am in Victoria Mahe Island Seychelles?

A short guide of Victoria Mahe Seychelles

Wondering what you can do when you are on holidays in the Seychelles ...Why not do a short trip to the Capital town of the Seychelles- Victoria to take in the rich history of the Seychelles.

The small city of Victoria located on Mahé island Seychelles was founded in 1778 and is the capital of the Seychelles since 1903. It was named Port of Victoria in honour of the British queen after her coronation.

The heart of Victoria is around Freedom Square. The Clock Tower, looking like Big Ben in miniature, was actually modelled on Little Ben, which used to stand on London's Vauxhall Bridge Road. It was erected in 1903 to commemorate the Seychelles accession to the status of colony.

St Paul's Cathedral overlooks Freedom Square. In 1862 the Cathedral was damaged during a freak cyclone and over the years has undergone many changes.

Walking on through Victoria you will come across Church Street. In Church Street you will come across the magnificent Immaculate Conception Cathedral which was completed in 1874.

In front of the Law Courts of the Seychelles you will find another monument relating back to its colonial past. A little statue of Queen Victoria can be seen on top of an old fountain and it is a copy of the original. It was erected in 1897 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Victoria's reign, then removed to the Carnegie Library (now the National History Museum) when Independence was proclaimed in 1975.

Walking into the parking area of Pirates Arms you will come across the Popular Stadium which was inaugurated by Princess Margaret in 1972. The stadium is built on reclaimed area from the sea and is used for sporting activities.

Closer to the port of Victoria at the intersection with 5th June Avenue proudly stands the statue of three birds' wings each representing the three continents whereby the original inhabitants of the Seychelles originated from namely that of Europe, Africa and Asia.

Just opposite the Seychelles Yacht Club you will come across another symbolic statue for the people of the Seychelles. It is that of a bronze figure breaking a chain. The statue was erected in 1978 to commemorate the previous years' revolution.

If you carry on southwards you will pass a big modern block building which is the Seychelles National Library and National Archives. If you walk through the library you will come out on Francis Rachel Street, which is famous for its row of souvenir kiosks. If you then head northwards you will come back to the Clock Tower and the Law Courts. You will pass Cable and Wireless offices on your left.

If you walk down State House Avenue you will eventually come to the Seychelles State House. The house is not open to visitors and is guarded. However just before the entrance to State House, the National History Museum has a few old French cannon's adorning the staircase. Apart from important documents relating the trials and tribulations of the islands' history, you can inspect the "stone of possession" by which the French claimed their rights to the islands in 1756. It was the custom not to plant the national ?ag but to lay a stone.

Chalets d' Anse Forbans located 24km from the Victoria the Capital Town of Mahe Island Seychelles offers Affordable Seychelles Self Catering Beach Apartments. All the apartments are fully equipped and mere steps away from the secluded beach of Anse Forbans. Book your Seychelles Holiday Accommodation with Chalets d' Anse Forbans.

This Blog post is Sponsored by Chalets d' Anse Forbans in Anse Forbans, Mahe, Seychelles