Any visit to the city of Abeokuta would be incomplete without stopping by at the “fortress of Abeokuta”; Olumo Rock. It is no surprise that this rock is located in Abeokuta, as the name “Abeokuta” itself means “under the rock”. Olumo Rock has long served as a rock of offense and a fortress for the people of Egba Land, since the 19th century. At Olumo Rock, you would be treated to attractions like natural tunnels, unusual trees, natural cantilevers, gardens on the rock, broken pathways, monuments of the belief system of the rock’s primeval settlers, three escalators at the characteristic height of the rock as well as an aerial and atmospheric view of the antique city of Abeokuta, from the apex of the rock. You don’t want to miss these attractions, do you?….
9 Interesting Facts Of Olumo Rocks
- It stands at 137 meters above sea level.
- No one has even fallen from Olumo rock. Legend has it that the gods protect people from falling.
- There is a tree that has leaves that never dithers irrespective of the weather. It is used for medicinal purposes.
- It has a spot at the top where legend has it that pause and blood came out the same time.
- There is an Olumo festival that holds around March.
- It has an elevator that can take you to the topmost part but it’s more fun to climb the stairs.
- There are small caves where Egba people were said to have hidden their wives and kids during the war.
- There are also holes dug in those caves where the Egba people used for grinding pepper, onions and so on.
- You can sight the old St. Peters Cathedral (first church in Nigeria), the Ogun River, the city’s beautiful central mosque, the Alake’s palace (royal king’s palace) and other significant places from the top.
Photo Credit: Getty
