Palais royal d'Uvea | |
![]() Dancers in front of the royal palace during the territory festival on July 29, 2017. | |
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Location | France |
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Coordinates | 13°17′00″S176°10′26″W / 13.28333°S 176.17389°W |
Designer | Charles Bonneval |
Type | Palace |
Completion date | 1992 |
The Royal Palace of Uvea is the seat of the Lavelua, the customary king of Uvea, on the island of Wallis. It is located in Mata-Utu, the capital of the overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna.
Built in 1876, it is a highly important political site, where most official and traditional ceremonies take place.
The palace stands in front of the Sagato Soane Square (French for Saint John), not far from the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption cathedral, in the heart of the village of Mata-Utu. The land on which it is built is called Mala'evaka. [1]
The royal palace hosts most official and traditional ceremonies, such as the enthronement of a new Lavelua, [2] the territorial feast day, the July 14th ceremony, and so on. During customary ceremonies such as the katoaga , the various territorial authorities (Lavelua and customary chiefs, bishop, senior administrator, etc.) are seated in front of the royal palace.
Construction of the building began under the direction of French resident Jean-Joseph David and was completed during the reign of Amelia Tokagahau Aliki. Indeed, in 1876, Bishop Pierre Bataillon convinced the customary authorities to have the palace built thanks to village chores. [3] The aim of the palace was: [4]
To give the great chieftaincy of Wallis the appearance of Western-style royalty, so that the officers of the European navies would recognize the Lavelua [...] as heads of state capable of signing trade or alliance treaties.
The work was entrusted to architect Charles Bonneval, who drew inspiration from Tongan architecture to build this royal residence. This was the first time a house was built on stilts in Wallis. Built of stone, the palace has one floor and a sunroom. [4]
The royal palace was rebuilt while Count Dodun de Kéroman was resident in France (1892-1893). [5] [6]
Since its construction, the palace has undergone minor modernization. [7]
On two occasions, Lavelua Tomasi Kulimoetoke II opened the doors of the royal palace to relatives convicted by the French justice system, so that they could escape from the gendarmes: