Agodjié Square (Amazon Monument)

Rising dramatically along the Boulevard de la Marina facing the Atlantic Ocean, the Amazon Monument has stood since July 2022 as modern Benin's defining national landmark. Soaring to a height of 30 meters and weighing 133 tons of bronze and steel, it ranks as the second-tallest monument on the African continent. Designed by master sculptor Li Xiangqun, the sculpture portrays an Agodjié — the formidable elite female warriors who defended the Kingdom of Dahomey through the reigns of Kings Guézo, Glèlè, and Béhanzin. Clutching a rifle with proud defiance and carrying an ancestral sword, her gaze fixed resolutely on the horizon, she embodies female empowerment, national sovereignty, and courage. The surrounding landscaped esplanade features paved avenues, royal palms, and illuminated fountains. At dusk, it transforms into Cotonou's most vibrant civic gathering place, attracting locals and international visitors in an atmosphere of pride and celebration.