The Church of Saint Michel Nkembo is located in Libreville, the capital of the African country Gabon. The wooden pillars, which were wonderfully carved by Gabonese craftsman Zéphyrin Lendogno and portray events from the Old and New Testament, make the chapel a true beauty. It was constructed in 1964. This place is one of the most beautiful historical sites in Gabon.

Following Leon Mba Street from the bus terminal, you will come to the Church of Saint Michel Nkembo, which was erected in 1964. Zéphyrin Lendogno, a Gabonese artist, brilliantly carved the friezes above the doorways and the wooden pillars. Juan Ndong sculpted the main altar, Christ on the cross, the lectern, and the Virgin and Saint Michael sculptures. On Sunday morning, the church was full with a boisterous Mass that was accompanied by Mpongwe singing.

The church's facade is distinguished by 31 distinctive wooden columns with a biblical view. The pillars were allegedly carved by a blind worker, according to legend. The interior is comparable to that of most churches across the world, with a major altar with Christ on the cross, a lectern, and Juan Ndong's sculptures of the Virgin and Saint Michel. A mosaic decorates the church pediment, and a bright statue of Saint Michel stands in a tiny enclosure on the little plaza. This church is a significant landmark in Libreville, and it is recommended that everyone visit it at least once. It has earned the reputation of being a must-see "attraction" in the capital city.

Location: Libreville, Gabon

A journey to the Fernan Vaz Lagoon is one of the highlights of any tour of the Ogooué-Maritime area, and it is now more accessible than ever thanks to the completion of a new route from Port-Gentil. The lagoon's dark waters are surrounded by an unnaturally green and vegetated coastline, creating a marvelously dramatic environment. The lagoon was named after the Portuguese sailor Ferno Vaz, who found it at the end of the 15th century, but the Mission Sainte-Anne, with its rust-red église, was built four decades later. The church was completed in 1889, the same year as the Eiffel Tower, and there is a link, as odd as it may appear. Look no farther than Gustav Eiffel, who, at the request of Mrs. Bichet, the mother of Sainte-founding Anne's priest and a rich woman with Paris connections, transported the blueprints and materials all the way from Paris. The church is towering and graceful, with the metal having weathered to a deep, rusty red over time.

The laudable Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project, which has been caring for orphaned gorillas since 2001, is now located in the lagoon. The organization operates a refuge and reintroduction center on Île Evengué-Ezango. The sanctuary's four gorillas serve as conservation ambassadors, educating national and international tourists about the predicament of great apes in a wooded cage on the island. The rehabilitation center, which now houses eight orphaned gorillas on adjacent Île Oriquet, is located away from human exposure. The goal is to restore them to their natural habitat. Mpanda, just 600 meters across from Oriquet Island, is where the PGFA base camp is located. The average visit lasts 90 minutes, including a brief orientation to the center.

You may take guided excursions in the surrounding forest or along the beach, as well as visit some of the nearby towns, in addition to viewing the mission and gorilla sanctuary. Most people arrive by boat on a day excursion with one of Omboué's hotels, although the mission is also theoretically accessible by 50 kilometers of unpaved roads and sandy paths that connect it to Omboué. If you're intending to go this way, seek advice from locals on the best route. If you choose to stay the night, the mission provides limited accommodations in wood-paneled first-floor rooms.

Location: the Atlantic coast of Gabon

In this holy month of meditation, worship, and invocation, the Hassan II Mosque in Libreville is both a place of worship and reunion for members of the Moroccan community in Gabon, in the absence of any other meeting space. During the night, an unusual atmosphere takes over as men, women, and children converge from all sides, dressed in their best traditional clothes to perform the Isha and Tarawih prayers alongside Muslim brothers and friends of other communities. In addition to its spiritual role, the mosque also serves as a nostalgic visit for members of the Moroccan community. After a day of abstinence and renunciation, members of the Moroccan community congregate at the mosque to recreate a little of the ambiance of their home country, which they miss, especially in a nation where Muslims make up only 2% of the population.

The Hassan II mosque in Libreville, which bears witness to centuries of friendship and fraternity between Morocco and Gabon, transmits Islamic messages of love, morality, and humanism and helps to the spread of the faith. True to its goal, Gabon's largest mosque, a historical and spiritual landmark, attracts vast throngs of the devout who come there to answer Allah's call for the five daily prayers, as well as the Friday prayer. It brings together the country's Muslims, including men and women, with the goal of introducing them to Islamic teachings.

The mosque, which was inaugurated in 1983 and is located in front of the presidential palace in the heart of the capital, is built on a total area of 1.5 hectares and includes a large prayer hall of 3,500 m2 with a seating capacity of up to 5,000 faithful, another room for women, and a bathroom for ablutions, among other features. It features a 40-meter-high minaret. The interior is built of plaster, and wood, with typical multicolored mosaics adorning the walls, sculpted by talented Moroccan craftsmen in genuine beautiful Arab-Muslim style.

Location: Libreville, Gabon

The National Museum of Arts, Rites, and Traditions of Gabon, located near the seaside, beautifully displays Gabon's rich cultural legacy. Gabon, being a former French colony in Africa, has a diverse culture impacted by both its ethnic heritage and its French overlords. Dance, singing, stories, and poetry are all essential aspects of Gabonese culture. Art is also an important element of the legacy, as seen by their masks, sculptures, and musical instruments. Art for the sake of art, on the other hand, emerged only after the arrival of westerners in the city. Explore the many displays to get a glimpse into this unique community where art and culture are woven into daily life.

The Gabonese have long been spiritual people, with much of their traditions centered on worship and the afterlife, which is reflected in their art. The natural and supernatural are linked in Gabonese traditional beliefs. Elements from the temple of Bwiti that demonstrate this spirituality may be found in the museum. Bwiti is a secret club for men where they may get the knowledge, discipline, and strength they need to fulfill their lives to the fullest. Each community has a Bwiti temple, which hosts unique ceremonies and serves as a gateway to connect with the spirits or ancestors.

The museum also has a straw and mud-brick dwellings, wooden and metal sculptures, and items from the culture, such as local masks used for medicinal operations and ceremonial attire. The balafon, harp, mouth bow, drums, rattles, and bells are among the traditional instruments on show. All of them are said to summon various spirits and are employed in various religious rituals. There is an ancient adorned gorilla skull that appears to pique the interest of most visitors, so be prepared to snap a photo.

Location: Libreville, Gabon

To celebrate his memory, the Memorial Leon Mba, one of the most beautiful historical sites in Gabon was created in Libreville forty years after his death. President Bongo placed the Memorial's cornerstone on February 9, 2007, and he inaugurated it on November 27, 2007. It was first open to the public in February 2008. This site is dedicated to their leader, who led the country to freedom. The most admired leader in the world. The Leon Mba monument is a beautiful complement to the first president's statue, which stood alone.

Leon M'ba was born into a moderately wealthy village family as a member of the Fang ethnic group. He worked in a series of petty jobs after finishing seminary before joining the colonial administration as a customs agent. His political action in support of black people alarmed the French government, and as a result, he was sentenced to prison after committing a minor misdemeanor that would ordinarily have resulted in a modest fine. M'ba was given a second opportunity by the state in 1924 when he was appointed to lead the canton in Estuaire Province. He was condemned to three years in jail and ten years in exile in 1931 after being convicted of participation in the death of a lady near Libreville. He wrote works chronicling the Fang people's tribal customary law while in exile in Oubangui-Chari. His effort was praised by his superiors and he was employed by the local administration.

He began his political career in 1946 and was named Prime Minister on May 21, 1957. He was Prime Minister from February 21, 1961, until February 21, 1961. In 1958, he led an effort to expand Gabon's participation in the Franco-African community. On August 17, 1960, when the United States gained independence from France, he was elected president. In February 1964, political foe Jean-Hilaire Aubame staged a coup d'état and temporarily captured the presidency, but the French intervened and restored order a few days later.

Location: Libreville, Gabon