Best places to visit in Katsina: Katsina State, also known as the “home of hospitality,” emerged from the old Kaduna State on September 27, 1989, under the leadership of Maj. General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), GCON.
It is predominantly inhabited by the Hausa-Fulani community and comprises two emirates: Daura and Katsina Emirate. The ancestral connection between Baghdad Bayajidda’s prince and Daurama led to the founding of Daura, Katsina, Kano, Zaria, Rano, Biram, and Gobir.
Arewa House aims to highlight some remarkable and best places to visit in Katsina State.
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Similar to other states, Katsina boasts numerous historical attractions dating back centuries. Among these are the Katsina Emir’s palace, Daura Emir’s palace, Kusugu Well, Old KTC, Gobarau minaret, National Museum, and Katsina city gates. Below, we present six must-visit places in Katsina:
Best Places to Visit in Katsina
- Katsina Emir’s Palace
The Katsina Royal Palace, also referred to as ‘Gidan Korau,’ stands as a captivating destination in Katsina. Situated at the heart of the historical city. It exemplifies Hausa architecture, encapsulating the culture, history, and traditions of the Katsina people.
Historically, Muhammadu Korau, believed to be the first Muslim emir of Katsina, constructed the palace in 1348 AD, thus earning it the traditional name ‘Gidan Korau’ (House of Korau). Among the earliest generation palaces, alongside Daura, Kano, and Zazzau (Zaria), it remains one of the oldest.
The palace compound consists of three sections: ‘Soro’ and ‘Barga,’ serving as the emir’s living quarters, the yard housing the emir’s stable, servants, and slaves, and ‘Gidan Ganye,’ home to the royal garden and the emir’s guest house.
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Entering through the main gate, ‘Kofar Soro,’ while the backyard gate, ‘Kofar Bai,’ has since disappeared. The emir’s residential quarter at the center of the palace boasts traditional architecture. Its buildings are constructed from conical-shaped, sun-dried clay bricks (‘tubali’ in Hausa), mud, and local rafters known as ‘azara.’ The walls, around 90 centimeters at the base, are plastered with a high-quality clay mixture, cow dung, and grass.
Within this remarkable palace, you’ll find a mosque, clinic, and children’s playground. Connected to the ‘Babban Zaure’ reception area is the emir’s inner chamber, where he meets with senior councillors to receive state officials and dignitaries. At the northwest end of the compound stands the old council chamber (‘tsohuwar majalisa’), constructed during the reign of Emir Dikko from 1906 to 1944.
Adjacent to this structure in the southern direction stands the new council chambers, ‘sabuwar majalisa,’ a creation of Emir Usman Nagogo during his reign from 1944 to 1951. This elegant emir’s palace not only captivates tourists with its remarkable architecture but also embodies Islamic authority, preserves traditional Hausa architectural heritage, and stands as a lasting testament to organized society.2. Emir of Daura’s PalaceEmir’s Palace in
Adjacent to this structure in the southern direction stands the new council chambers, ‘sabuwar majalisa,’ a creation of Emir Usman Nagogo during his reign from 1944 to 1951. This elegant emir’s palace not only captivates tourists with its remarkable architecture but also embodies Islamic authority, preserves traditional Hausa architectural heritage, and stands as a lasting testament to organized society.
- Emir of Daura’s Palace
Ranked among the must-visit destinations in Katsina State, the Emir of Daura’s palace is an exquisite edifice situated at the heart of the town. It was constructed by Magajiya Daurama shortly after the kingdom’s capital relocated from the ‘Tsohon Birni’ (Old City) to today’s Daura city.
The palace is a prime example of traditional Hausa architecture, featuring materials like sun-baked bricks, mud, local rafters, and the local colorant known as ‘Makuba.’
Within the palace, you’ll find a spacious ‘zaure,’ serving as the primary entrance, along with numerous inner chambers.
- Kusugu Well Daura
Kusugu Well, a legendary site where Abu Yazid Bin Abdullahi, known as Bayajidda, vanquished a serpent named Sarki, holds a prominent spot among the attractions in Katsina and serves as a major draw in Daura town.
In the era of Queen Daurama of Daura, Kusugu Well was the primary water source for the town’s residents. However, due to the presence of a mythical snake within the well, people were only permitted to fetch water once a week, specifically on Fridays.
The situation persisted until the arrival of Abu Yazid Bin Abdullahi, believed to be a Baghdadi prince, in Daura. Staying in the house of an elderly woman, he requested water but received an insufficient amount, with the explanation that the snake in the well prevented residents from accessing water except on Fridays.
Undeterred, Bayajidda insisted on seeing the well and fetching water himself, disregarding warnings about the cunning snake. He confronted the snake and, through a fierce battle, successfully defeated it.
Over time, this well has evolved into a tourist attraction in the Daura Kingdom. The sword used to vanquish the formidable serpent is now safeguarded by the Emir of Daura, His Highness. Both the well and the sword remain accessible to tourists today.
- Gobarau Minaret
Gobarau Minaret, also known as ‘Hasumiyya’ in Hausa, stands out as a must-visit attraction in Katsina State. Historical records trace its origins back over 600 years to the reign of Katsina’s first Muslim Emir, Sarki Muhammadu Korau (1398-1408 AD), and it remains proudly standing today. During his rule, this minaret served as Katsina town’s central mosque and is believed to rank among the largest ancient structures in West Africa.
This towering Gobarau Minaret reaches an impressive height of 50 feet or 15 meters, positioned at the heart of Katsina city. It serves as an early representation of Muslim architectural prowess in Katsina and has become an iconic symbol of the city.
In its earlier days, this minaret, the tallest structure in ancient Katsina, operated as a surveillance tower, aiding in the detection of approaching enemy forces during communal conflicts of that era.
Originally towering at a remarkable 122 meters (400 feet), the minaret underwent a reduction in height, now standing at approximately 17.11 meters with a base spanning about 83.36 square meters, as per records from Katsina State’s history and culture bureau.
The minaret’s design echoes the architectural style of Timbuktu, showcasing the craftsmanship and civilization of the 14th century. Initially functioning as Katsina’s central mosque, it also doubled as an educational institution. By the 16th century, Katsina had evolved into a significant hub for trade and learning in Hausaland, with the Gobarau mosque gaining renown as a distinguished center for higher Islamic education.
Gobarau Minaret continued its role as Katsina’s central mosque until the early 19th century AD. At that point, Sarkin Katsina Ummarun Dallaji (1805-1835) constructed a new mosque, later replaced by Muhammadu Dikko (1906–1944), who built the renowned Masallacin Dutsi, still in use today.
- Katsina City Gates
One of the remarkable sites beckoning travelers in Katsina State is the Katsina city wall, an ancient marvel built approximately 900 years ago during the reign of King Murabus. It encircles the city and boasts numerous gates, each with its own historical charm. These ancient gates within the city walls continue to captivate visitors, attracting curious tourists from distant lands who yearn to witness their grandeur.
Among the notable gates are Kofar Kaura (where ‘kofa’ means gate), Kofar Sauri, Kofar Marusa, Kofar Durbi, Kofar Kwaya, and more.
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In conclusion, all the aforementioned destinations stand as incredible places to explore in Katsina State, particularly for those venturing into Northern Nigeria.
Each spot carries a unique historical significance and cultural richness waiting to be experienced. Feel free to share in the comments which of these places you aspire to visit soon. Your feedback is appreciated. Thank you.