Osogbo is the state capital of the state of Osun and you will find listings of the best hotels in Osogbo here. It is located at the centre of the state and therefore, easily accessible to most other parts of the state.
The name, "Osogbo" was said to have been coined out of Oso Igbo (which means wizard of the forest). According to the story, the first settlers met a mysterious man at the Osun river and they referred to him as Oso Igbo (Wizard of the Forest), which led to the name Osogbo.
It is also said that the growth of the city was as a result of many migrants who ran from the Old Oyo Empire, following the Fulani invasion. The primary economy of the people is dyeing. In fact, the city is sometimes referred to as "Ilu Aro" (land of dyeing). Other industries have also sprung up including pencil, textile and foam making.
The most popular feature in the city is probably the Osun-Osogbo Grove, which was founded about 400 years ago to worship Osun, the Yoruba goddess of fertility. Changes, especially in the area of modernity, have occurred to the grove since then and it was named a World Heritage Site in 2005. Apart from the Osun-Osogbo grove, there are also many places around Osogbo that serve as places of attraction.
They include the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove Visitor Information Centre; Susan Wenger's house, an artist and Osun priestess; Nike Art Gallery; Osun Museum of Arts, one of the best museums of arts in Nigeria and rich in Yoruba culture; Nelson Mandela's Freedom Park as well as the Osun festival which attracts visitors from far and near.
Osogbo is a very affordable city to live in and so, hotels in Osogbo round the city are affordable while not compromising comfort and luxury.
