Mantasoa: Industrial History and Architecture

Mantasoa can be explored for trip planning through two themes: historic industrial and architectural heritage, and walking. The Ancien site industriel de Mantasoa includes Jean Laborde’s house, the Soamandrakizay tomb, and the Queen’s bath. The Soatsimanampiovana workers’ settlement represents a history of production associated with Laborde; three circular walking trails inaugurated in 2022 offer another focus. When deciding what to see, it is helpful to distinguish between an interest in architectural forms, industrial history, and walking.

Industrial History and Buildings

Jean Laborde built the Soatsimanampiovana industrial workers’ settlement. It was the first in Madagascar where iron, cast iron, gunpowder, glass, soap, and earthenware pots were produced. The variety of products makes the settlement’s industrial character tangible. For travelers interested in industrial history, its place in the national context is also significant: the claim about the first production in Madagascar refers to this range of products. Soatsimanampiovana offers a different emphasis from the architectural heritage at the Ancien site industriel: here, production is at the center.

Jean Laborde’s house at the Ancien site industriel de Mantasoa was built in the mid-19th century. It is rectangular, built of rosewood (Dalbergia), and has a four-sided roof of the « voriloha » type and a wide veranda. The house was built in an authentic style from Auch, Laborde’s region of origin. Its design combines specific architectural features with a connection to Laborde’s origins. For architectural context, therefore, it is not only the age and the person that matter, but also the type of wood, floor plan, roof type, and veranda.

The Soamandrakizay tomb at the Ancien site industriel is square and designed in the Hindu style. Ten rounded columns support 72 balusters; each side is faced with twelve rows of hewn stones. The tomb’s form, columns, and stone facing are therefore its most prominent features. Compared with the house, the architectural emphasis shifts: there, rosewood, the roof, and the veranda shape the design; here, it is the square form and the rows of hewn stones. This comparison offers a practical guide if you are particularly interested in the different architectural forms.

The Ancien site industriel also includes the Queen’s bath, attributed to Ranavalona I. The pool is made of dry-stone masonry and lime mortar. The attribution and construction offer two different perspectives: the name connects the bath with Ranavalona I, while the material details describe how it was built. Together, the site’s historic structures complement one another, while the house, tomb, and pool each have a different architectural emphasis.

Circular Walking Trails in Mantasoa

The Office Régional du Tourisme d’Analamanga created and marked three circular walking trails in Mantasoa for visitors. They were inaugurated on September 2, 2022. This date refers to the inauguration; if you are planning a specific hike today, it is advisable to check current trail conditions in advance. The trails offer a different focus from the historic buildings and production history. They are therefore a separate planning consideration for travelers who would like to include walking in their plans for Mantasoa.

You can weigh the different themes according to your interests: the workers’ settlement represents industrial production, the house and tomb offer concrete architectural contrasts, and the Queen’s bath draws attention to pool construction and materials. The circular walking trails complement these historic highlights as a separate walking option. When planning your trip to Mantasoa, you can decide whether architectural history, industrial history, or walking is most important to you.

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