mbanza kongo
states: [angola]
category: cultural
year: 2017
region: Africa
latitude/longitude: -6.2688888889, 14.2497222222
unesco id: 1511
world heritage site: 1511
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Mbanza Kongo, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Angola, recognized in 2017, is the historic capital of the Kongo Kingdom, thriving from the 14th century until its decline in the 19th century. Its ruins—featuring royal graves, churches, and a sacred tree—reflect a blend of African traditions and Portuguese colonial influences after 1483. This site showcases Angola’s precolonial heritage, preserving the spiritual and political legacy of one of Central Africa’s most powerful kingdoms.