The city of Victoria on the island of Mahé is one of the smallest capital cities in the world, despite being home to about a third of the Seychelles’ population.
It was named after Queen Victoria and its most prominent feature is the Victoria Clocktower, or Lorloz as it is known in Creole, that stands in the city centre and has remained virtually unchanged since it was erected in 1903. It is a replica of the clock that was unveiled in London in 1897 near Victoria Station. The governor of the Seychelles, Sir Ernest Sweet-Escota admired it on a visit to London and ordered a similar clock as a memorial to Queen Victoria, who died in 1901. Initially, the clock failed to chime as it was supposed to, however after having its mechanism completely replaced in 1999 it now regularly strikes the hour.
Also in the centre of Mahé is the brightly coloured Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Hindu temple, which is used by the island’s Indian population. Built in 1992, it is the only Hindu temple in the Seychelles. It was named after Lord Vinayagar, the Hindu god of safety and prosperity.
SOURCES:
- https://www.seychelles.travel/en/products/attractions.php?aid=5
- https://www.seychelles.travel/en/products/attractions.php?aid=4
