Porto Novo is Benin's capital, although people would claim that it was Cotonou instead. This would be incorrect. Porto Novo is much smaller and at the same time infinitely more pleasant. It has plenty of grand colonial buildings and not all of them house courts of justice, hospitals, ministeries or hotels. The National Assembly building is superb but it is closed for general public. One would have to befriend an official parliamentary correspondent to have a peek what is inside.
Porto Novo has magnificent churches and mosques, but also a remarkable royal palace. Nothing too flamboyant of course, but an extensive compound with countless rooms and many courtyards.
In addition to all that, there is also a district built on the lake, featuring wooden houses built on stilts. A truly diversified city with many different faces. It is largely safe and there are a few good places to go out. [edit text][editors]
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