 The Rova compound extends to just less than one hectare (approximately two acres), spanning north to south and over from east to west.A barricade of thick wooden posts with sharpened ends surrounded the compound until 1897 when it was replaced with a brick wall on the orders of General Gallieni.Entered via a stone stairway leading to a large north-facing gate built by James Cameron in 1845, this portal is topped by a bronze "voromahery" (eagle) imported from France by Jean Laborde in 1840.