Some attractions are interesting to see. Some can even be surprising. But there are some that are just unbelievable.
Top on the list of those unbelievable attractions is the Upside Down House, a mind-bending structure where everything is upside down.
The Upside Down House is exactly like every other building with doors, windows, rooms, furniture, paintings, kitchen, household items, etc. The only difference is that every single thing is turned on its head. The floor is overhead and the roof is right under your feet. It completely flips reality.
There are only two of these houses in West Africa and Landmark Nike Lake Resort is home to one of them: the only one in southeast Nigeria.
The Landmark Upside Down House in Enugu has something that makes it more than an architectural trick. Its story is tied to local folklore and Igbo culture. Instead of simply flipping a generic modern house and calling it an attraction, the Upside Down House in Enugu draws from the idea of an old traditional compound and the story of a respected elder whose home met an extraordinary fate.
Here’s all you need to know about Enugu’s most fascinating attraction.
What is the Landmark Upside Down House?
Science says gravity cannot be defeated, but the Landmark Upside Down House defies gravity every single time.
The Landmark Upside Down House is a mind-bending attraction at Landmark Nike Lake Resort in Enugu where the entire house is turned upside down. The house is furnished like a normal house and it has every amenity you would expect to see, except that they are all flipped. You would be walking on the roof with chairs and other household items hanging over your head.
The Upside Down House, Enugu is the first in southeast Nigeria and was developed by Landmark Group, the same company that developed the first Upside Down House in Nigeria, located in Lagos.
Interestingly, upside down houses exist all over the world. The first modern one was built in Szymbark, Poland, in 2007, and Germany followed a year later with its own version on the island of Usedom.
Since then, the idea has spread to more than twenty countries, from Thailand to Col
ombia to South Africa, and Nigeria.
But Landmark Group’s version in Enugu takes on a different pattern. It is built around an actual story rooted in Enugu itself, not just an imported architectural trick repainted with local colors.
The Story Behind the Landmark Upside Down House, Enugu
According to folklore, the house once belonged to Mazi Ogbuefi, a respected and titled elder who lived in a traditional compound in Enugu.
Like many traditional compounds, his home was more than just a place to sleep. It was a centre of family life, hospitality and meetings. Eventually, circumstances required the compound to be relocated. Midway through the move, a violent storm swept in, spinning the entire structure into the air. When the winds settled, the building had landed perfectly on its roof, fully intact, but flipped upside down.
Inside, Mazi Ogbuefi's personal space sits upside down, with vintage chairs still draped in traditional cloth. The chief's room and children's quarters feature antique pieces and old-school toys, and even the kitchen is furnished with local pots and utensils fixed overhead.
The story is also reflected in the external part of the structure. The roof is made of local roofing sheets, the windows are made of old, traditional materials, and Mazi Ogbuefi’s bicycle can be seen hanging upside down from the corridor. This gives the house a grounded feeling beyond just the fun.
And once you step inside, the story gets even more interesting.
What is inside the Upside Down House?
Have you ever had an experience that made you question whether reality itself was real? That’s exactly how it feels when you step into the Upside Down House.
You know exactly what you are looking at, but your brain keeps telling you that something is wrong. A chair is hanging above you, a dining table is fixed to the ceiling, household items seem like they are about to fall. All of these create the strange but entertaining feeling that you have somehow walked into a world where the rules have changed.
The house is furnished to resemble a traditional family home, with each space offering a different glimpse into the life of Mazi Ogbuefi and his family. In the Obi, or Chief’s Lounge, vintage-style chairs covered in traditional fabrics create the feel of a space where the chief receives visitors and meets with community members.
The chief’s bedroom and kids’ quarters offer a more personal look at family life, with antique furnishings, old-school toys and familiar household details. In the kitchen and dining area, traditional pots, utensils, tables and chairs are fixed overhead, turning ordinary household scenes into something unusual.
As you move from room to room, the familiar becomes unfamiliar, giving you plenty to explore and countless opportunities for creative, upside-down photos.
Why you should visit the Landmark Upside Down House
There’s no amount of description that can give you the feeling of being inside the Landmark Upside Down House. You can be told that the furniture is on the ceiling and the house is upside down, but seeing it for yourself is a different feeling.
Here are a few reasons to add it to your Enugu plans.
- It gives you something different to do in Enugu
Sometimes, you just want to do something that makes you stop and say, “I've never seen this before.” That’s what the Landmark Upside Down House gives you. It offers a completely different kind of outing, one where the attraction itself is enough to spark curiosity. You get to walk through a traditional-style home where the furniture, rooms and everyday objects are all turned upside down. It is unusual, unexpected and unlike most of the places you would normally visit in Enugu.
- For a fun day out with friends
The Upside Down House is the kind of place that becomes more fun when you have people to share it with. Walk through the rooms together, find the strangest-looking spots and see who can come up with the most convincing upside-down pose. It is an easy option when you and your friends want to get out, do something different and come back with a few stories from the day. - Get photos that will make people look twice
Let's be honest, taking pictures is a big part of the fun. You can pose as though you are standing on the ceiling, leaning against furniture that appears to be floating above you or simply let the unusual surroundings do the work. The best part? You do not need elaborate editing to make the photos look strange. The house has already done that for you. It is the kind of attraction where the photos are part of the experience, not just an afterthought. - It fits naturally into a stay at Landmark Nike Lake Resort
One of the best things about visiting the Landmark Upside Down House at Landmark Nike Lake Resort is that you also get the chance to explore a variety of activities at the resort. After spending some time exploring the Upside Down House, you can head out for a boat ride on Nike Lake, take a dip in the pool or try quad biking and some of the resort's other activities. And when the day is over, you can spend the night at any of our exquisite rooms or villas. That makes the attraction particularly useful for visitors who want more than a quick stop at one tourist site. You can turn it into a full day of things to see and do without having to keep travelling from one attraction to another.
How to Visit: Booking a Ticket for the Upside Down House
You can visit the Landmark Upside Down House by booking a ticket on the official website, through the Landmark Citizen App, by paying in person. Let's explore each one.
Using the Official Website
You can book a ticket to the Upside Down House from the official website: https://upsidedownhouse.ng. The website allows you to book a ticket to Upside Down House in Lagos and Enugu, so you have to ensure you're selecting the correct location. Follow the steps below:
- Go to https://upsidedownhouse.ng and click on "Book Your Visit." In the dropdown, select "Landmark Nike Lake Resort"
- After clicking on the preferred location (Landmark Nike Lake Resort), you would be taken to the booking page where you will be prompted to go through the house rules. Take a moment to read and then click "I understand."
- Enter your preferred date and ticket type, then click "Continue."
- You would be prompted to provide other details for your visit. Once added, you will be taken to the payment page and your ticket will be delivered to you via mail after your payment is confirmed
Using the Landmark Citizen App
You can also book your Upside Down House from the Landmark Citizen App. The Landmark Citizen App is Landmark Africa's official app which can be used to make all bookings and purchases withi all Landmark Ecosystems across Nigeria. Below is how to book your Upside Down House ticket using the app:
- Download the Landmark Citizen App by clicking here or searching "Landmark Citizen App" on your mobile app store
- Once you've created an account and logged it, you will be taken to the home screen below. Check the location button at the top right corner. If it says "Lagos," click to select Landmark Nike Lake Resort.
- Once your location is set to Enugu, select "Upside Down House"
- Click on "Get Tickets" and follow the next steps.
Making Your Booking in Person
You can also make your booking by walking into the resort. However, website/app bookings allow you to see the price for your preferred date and book to your preference.
Note: Physical bookings may require paying for a VIP ticket which is costlier than the regular ticket purchased online. Also, the cost of visiting the house varies depending on the day and time you choose.
Come See It for Yourself
The Landmark Upside Down House offers a fun, unusual attraction to add to your plans in Enugu. And since it’s located within Landmark Nike Lake Resort, you can make a day of it with a boat ride, a swim, a horse ride, and end the day in one of our relaxing rooms.
Ready to visit? You can book your tickets by visiting https://upsidedownhouse.ng/booking?state=enugu or the Landmark Citizen App.