La Pagode, Douala Travel Guide

La Pagode, or the Palace of King Bell, stands as a striking reminder of Douala's colonial past. Constructed in 1905 under German rule, it was commissioned by King Auguste Manga Ndumbe as a family residence. The building's design is a fascinating mix of German and traditional styles, reflecting the complex cultural influences of the time.King Auguste Manga Ndumbe used the palace to expand his cocoa and palm oil plantation and invest in real estate. After his death in 1908, his son Rudolph Douala Manga Bell, a leader who was educated in Germany, lived there until 1914. Rudolf opposed German colonial administrators' efforts to move locals inland and take their land. He was arrested and executed in 1914.The palace is called La Pagode because the French writer Louis-Ferdinand Céline, who lived in Douala in 1916-17, gave it that name in his novel *Voyage au bout de la nuit*. Since 1920, the Bell royal family has owned the mansion, and many people have lived there. In 2006, doual'art put up a sign made by Sandrine Dole that showed a picture of the building and told its story. Today, La Pagode remains an icon in Douala, celebrated for its history and architecture.