Place des Martyrs is one of Cotonou's more pointed political monuments, commemorating those associated with resistance to the 1977 coup attempt against Benin's revolutionary government. The square is not ornate, but it carries a specific piece of modern national history that many visitors otherwise miss.
It is best seen as part of a broader look at Cotonou's civic spaces, from Etoile Rouge to the newer monuments and government districts. The stop is short, but it helps make the city feel less like just a port and market hub and more like the stage for Benin's recent political memory.