| Native Name: | Aghọfẹn Ọlọghọ |
| Map Type: | Nigeria |
| Coordinates: | 7.1961°N 5.5864°W |
| Location: | Owo, Nigeria |
| Altitude M: | 350 |
| Built: | 1340 (14th century) |
| Builder: | Ologho Rerengejen |
| Cultures: | Owo kingdom |
| Website: | https://owokingdom.org/ |
The Olowo's palace Aghọfẹn Ọlọghọ, is the largest palace in Africa. It is located in Owo, a local government area in Ondo State, and is pronounced a national monument by the federal government of Nigeria in 2000.[1] [2] The palace holds cultural importance with the occupance by 14 Olowo of owo who ascended the throne since the existence of the palace.[3]
The palace features 100 courtyards, called Ugha, that each have a specific function and address a specific deity. The palace sits on 180 acres of land. It is claimed to be twice the size of an American football field and is used for ceremonies and public assemblies.Some of the courtyards are paved with quartz pebbles and others with broken pottery. Pillars supporting each roof in the veranda are moulded with statues of a king mounted on a horse or shown with his senior wife.
The palace was built during the reign of Olowo Irengenje in 1340 and has approximately 1,000 rooms, some of which served as shrines and places of worship of ancestors. and about 13 monarchs have used the palace since the first Olowo of Owo. They are (not in order): Oba Ojugbelu Arere, Rerengejen, Ajaka, Ajagbusi Ekun, Olagbegi Atanneye I, Olagbegi Atanneye II, Elewuokun, Olateru Olagbegi I, Olateru Olagbegi II, Ajike Ogunoye, Adekola Ogunoye II, and Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi III.Owo was regarded as the political Mecca of Yorubaland before Nigeria's independence with the formation of the Action Group formerly known as the Egbe Omo Yoruba carried out within the palace.[4]