The Palace grounds of the Olowo of Ọ̀wọ̀ kingdom (Aghọfẹn Ọlọghọ) is the largest on the African continent, it also hosts a museum of the ancient civilization & art of Owo, a very important Yoruba kingdom. The palace sits on 180 acres. It features 100 courtyards called Ugha and 1,000 rooms/enclosures called Akodi/Orupo. Each ugha has a specific function. The palace was built by Oba Rerengejen around the year 1340. The Owo kingdom was founded by Prince Ojugbelu Arere (1075-1105 AD) and 31 Olowo have reigned after him.
Ojugbelu was a progeny of Olofen Adimula (Oduduwa) in Ile Ife. He was accompanied to Ogho by 12 Eghare (Elders) who settled at the iloro quarters of Owo. Initially, they settled on top of a hill known as ‘Okiti Asegbo’, which remains a dominant feature of the city of Owo to date. Aghofen Oghoo has been dubbed by the government as a national monument.
The palace played a very important history in the political history of Yorubaland. This was particularly so as all political roads in the Western region led to Owo and all political gladiators saw Owo as a veritable locale for the realization of their aspirations even though the seat of government was in Ibadan. The formation of the Action Group (AG) which transformed from Egbe Omo Oduduwa, took place within the ancient Owo palace durng the reign of Olowo Olagbegi II.
