Ife National Museum
National Museum, Ile-Ife
Houses 12th to 15th century bronze and terracotta heads from the ancient kingdom of Ife. These realistic masterpieces changed the world's understanding of ancient African art.
Ile-Ife is regarded by the Yoruba as the birthplace of humankind and of kingship. Ife craftsmen between the 12th and 15th centuries used the lost-wax method to cast extremely realistic bronze and terracotta figures, often with fine lines carved into the faces. These works represent the peak of ancient African art. The museum is near the Ife royal palace and displays excavated terracotta heads, bronzes, stone sculptures and glass beads. Some treasures are replicas, as the originals are in Lagos or overseas. Admission is inexpensive, and photography inside may cost extra. It is about 40 km from Osogbo, roughly a 1-hour drive, and can be visited together with the Ooni's Palace and the Olaiyemo stone pillars.
Opening hours
About 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Palace of the Ooni of Ife
- Olojo Festival
- Moremi Statue of Liberty
- Oduduwa Shrine and Grove
- Oke Mogun
- Opa Oranmiyan (Staff of Oranmiyan)
- Igbo Olokun (Olokun Grove)
- Ori Olokun Roundabout