Holiday in Brazzaville

About Brazzaville

Brazzaville is the capital of the Republic of Congo and the only capital in the world that is visible from another capital: On the opposite side of the Congo River — here over 3 kilometers wide — lies Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Two capitals, separated by the mightiest river in Africa, connected by a ferry and a bridge under construction — this duo is unique in the world. The 2-million city has a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere for a Central African capital: wide boulevards lined with mango trees, a riverbank where fishermen load their pirogues, and a culture of elegance that is unmatched worldwide. Brazzaville is home to the Sapeurs — the "Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes" — men from the simplest backgrounds who dress in tailored designer suits, silk scarves, and patent leather shoes, hosting fashion shows in public. This subculture of dandy resistance against poverty is Brazzaville's most famous cultural export. The Basilique Sainte-Anne, a landmark from the 1940s with a distinctive green roof structure, and the Tour Nabemba, the tallest skyscraper in Central Africa (106 m), mark the skyline. The rapids of the Congo River (Les Rapides) at the southern edge of the city are an impressive natural spectacle — the second most water-rich river on Earth thunders over rock barriers.