Tranovato, Landmark of the Portuguese

 
The story goes that at the beginning of the 16th century, four Portuguese vessels were shipwrecked off the Androy coast. Out of 600 sailors, only 70 were saved. Near the shores at Anosy, these survivors built a stone fort.
 
The ruins of their stone tower, located about 9 km west of Fort Dauphin are still visible at a place today known as "Tranovato", which means "stone house". It was erected around 1520 and described by Father Mariano of the Portuguese 1613 expedition as square-shaped and installed on top of a small hill on a river island.
 
He also describes a marble “padrão” erected at the foot of the hill and almost two metres high, one side bearing the arms of the King of Portugal and this inscription in Roman letters: REX PORTUGALENSIS. Close to the padrão there lay a marble cross on the ground.
 
Etienne de Flacourt also attributed this stone construction to the Portuguese, founded on stories of locals about a Portuguese named Macinorbei, who led shipwrecked people here and had this stone house built.
 
Alfred Grandidier, relying on Portuguese sources, also concluded that this installation was built by Portuguese surviving sailors, from ships commissioned by Pero Vaz o Roxo and Pere Annes Frances stranded in 1527 on the south-east coast of Madagascar.
 
All those who have studied these ruins have concluded that the construction is of Portuguese origin.
 
This article was featured in Prime Magazine August 2018

Useful Information

When to go

The Tranovato is located between the Efaho River and the Satra River, a swampy area which, during the rainy season (from January to the end of March), becomes an islet, the swamps turning into lakes. The months of May to September are the most recommended months to visit.

How to get there

Take a plane to Fort Dauphin or by car, take the tarmacked RN7, then proceed on the RN13, a secondary track.

Where to stay

In Fort Dauphin, there are many hotels: La Croix du Sud, The Dauphin and La Marina. On the coast, there is the hotel Le Talinjoo. the Port Hotel also offers a holiday idyll.

Where to eat

If you like seafood try At Richard's. For fans of French cuisine go to Marceline's. And to discover the Malagasy cuisine: At Vivie, Perline or At Geroges.

What to see

If you spend several days in Fort Dauphin, you can combine the visit with the Berenty reserve, an accredited site for scientists and travellers. Other areas of interest are Evatra - Lokaro Bay for a little trekking on the rocks by the sea and enjoying the beauty of the coves.