12 Sacred Groves & Mystical Forests Revered by Ancient Cultures
5. Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, Nigeria: Yoruba Goddess's Verdant Sanctuary
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is a dense forest sanctuary embracing the Osun River, considered the abode of fertility goddess Osun. This rare surviving example of primary high forest near a Yoruba city is dotted with extraordinary 20th-century sculptures and shrines by artist Susanne Wenger and local artisans, who ingeniously revitalized the grove by blending traditional Yoruba cosmology with contemporary artistic vision. It's a vibrant testament to the enduring spiritual connection between the Yoruba people, their deities, and the sacredness of nature.
