Trip to Blantyre will not be fulfilled until we visit 'St. Micheal and All Angel's church' and the 'Mandala House' is what we were told. So just set forth to witness the magnificent structures.
Stopped by at the Shri Hindu temple before going in search of the above two. Its a small temple just opposite to FMB bank in Mt.Soche. Lord Vinayaka here blesses the visiting devotees. During Hindu festivals all are treated to good Indian food here it seems.
Mandala House
This is Malawi's national monument also called as Old Manager's house. It is the oldest building in Blantyre having been built in 1882 with dried grass,bricks and mud. This was built for the Managers of African lakes corporation to stay. Later became a bank too. Now it houses - La Caverna Art Gallery in the ground floor. Malawian handcrafts are displayed here for sales. 'Society of Malawian library and archive' with a vast collection of Malawi books and journals of the 19th century. Madala Cafe is also in the ground floor along the corridor. Many foreign nationals can be seen here. An historical building still serving in a modern environment.
Having been built during 1888 to 1891 by Scottish missionaries, this is another historical landmark of Blantyre. It is recognized as a national monument. We are told that around 81 types of bricks were used to erect this monument by local Malawians with much experience in buildings. The huge structure stands proud on a evening around sunset. Apart from the church the campus also has a school, a clock tower and an hall where various events take place and office of the missionaries.
A local person working here took us around the campus on a tour. He explained that initially the worship place was just the small sight which now houses the clock tower but later it was moved to the church. Near the clock tower is a pine tree in lush green standing tall for more than a century. The adjacent hall too was nicely constructed with structural roofing and seats to accommodate thousands at a time. The church looked narrow and small inside but very aesthetically built. We were lead through a narrow spiral staircase to the next level from were we can see the prayer hall below. All chairs in the church dates back few years, made with wood and fiber.
A short trip on a lazy evening in Blantyre gave a true sense of Malawian history.
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