Basílica de la Inmaculada Concepción (Mongomo)

About an hour’s drive south of Ebibeyin is the city of Mongomo, very close to the border with Gabon. Both the first and the second president of the country are from Mongomo, hence the term “clan of Mongomo” to refer to the country’s ruling elite.

The most striking building in Mongomo is the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, dedicated to the patrons of Equatorial Guinea. The Basilica was built by an Italian company starting from 2006 and inaugurated in 2011. The architecture, the dimensions and the flags of the Vatican make us think that we are in Rome. It was an honor that the Bishop of Mongomo himself received us at his residence and even invited us to eat with him.

The last stop before heading back to Bata was Oyala, in the center of Rio Muni, which is supposed to be the new capital of Equatorial Guinea. Currently, however, it seems more like a ghost town...