Island of Gorée
Location: Dakar, Senegal
Year of Inscription: 1978
Criteria:(vi)to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance.
Overview: The Island of Gorée is a small island located off the coast of Dakar, Senegal that played a significant role in the history of the transatlantic slave trade. Todayit serves as a memorial to the millions of Africans who were forcibly taken from their homes and transported to the Americas as slaves.
Prominent Features: Some of the most notable features of the Island of Gorée include:
The House of Slaves: A former slave holding facility that has been converted into a museum. The museum contains exhibits and artifacts related to the transatlantic slave trade, including a display of the "Door of No Return", through which slaves were forced to pass before being loaded onto ships bound for the Americas.
The Gorée Memorial: A monument located on the island that was erected to commemorate the victims of the slave trade.
The colonial architecture: The island is home to a number of well-preserved colonial buildings, including the Governor's Palace, the Customs House, and several churches.
History: The Island of Gorée was one of the main centers of the transatlantic slave trade from the 15th to the 19th century. Slaves were brought to the island from various parts of West Africa, and were then held in cramped and unsanitary conditions before being loaded onto ships bound for the Americas. The island was also a center of European colonialism, and was ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch, British, and French at various times.
Fun Fact: Despite its dark history, the Island of Gorée is also known for its vibrant arts and culture scene. The island is home to numerous galleries and studios, as well as a number of annual festivals and events, including the Dakar Biennale and the Gorée Jazz Festival.
Family-Friendly Activities: Families can explore the island's history and culture by visiting the House of Slaves museum and the Gorée Memorial, as well as walking around the island to see the colonial architecture and other historic sites.
Entry Fees: The fee for foreign visitors is 5,000 CFA francs (about 9 USD) per person, which includes admission to the House of Slaves museum and other historic sites on the island.
How to Reach It: To reach the Island of Gorée, visitors can take a ferry from Dakar. The ferry departs from the Port of Dakar several times a day, and the journey takes about 20 minutes. There are also private boats available for hire, which can be arranged through tour operators or hotels.
Where to Stay: While there are no hotels on the Island of Gorée itself, there are several hotels and guesthouses located in Dakar, including the Terrou-Bi Hotel and the Radisson Blu Hotel. Visitors can also choose to stay in one of the many bed and breakfasts or guesthouses located in the nearby neighborhoods of Ngor or Almadies.
Next Stop: Saloum Delta
Year of Inscription: 1978
Criteria:(vi)to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance.
Overview: The Island of Gorée is a small island located off the coast of Dakar, Senegal that played a significant role in the history of the transatlantic slave trade. Todayit serves as a memorial to the millions of Africans who were forcibly taken from their homes and transported to the Americas as slaves.
Prominent Features: Some of the most notable features of the Island of Gorée include:
The House of Slaves: A former slave holding facility that has been converted into a museum. The museum contains exhibits and artifacts related to the transatlantic slave trade, including a display of the "Door of No Return", through which slaves were forced to pass before being loaded onto ships bound for the Americas.
The Gorée Memorial: A monument located on the island that was erected to commemorate the victims of the slave trade.
The colonial architecture: The island is home to a number of well-preserved colonial buildings, including the Governor's Palace, the Customs House, and several churches.
History: The Island of Gorée was one of the main centers of the transatlantic slave trade from the 15th to the 19th century. Slaves were brought to the island from various parts of West Africa, and were then held in cramped and unsanitary conditions before being loaded onto ships bound for the Americas. The island was also a center of European colonialism, and was ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch, British, and French at various times.
Fun Fact: Despite its dark history, the Island of Gorée is also known for its vibrant arts and culture scene. The island is home to numerous galleries and studios, as well as a number of annual festivals and events, including the Dakar Biennale and the Gorée Jazz Festival.
Family-Friendly Activities: Families can explore the island's history and culture by visiting the House of Slaves museum and the Gorée Memorial, as well as walking around the island to see the colonial architecture and other historic sites.
Entry Fees: The fee for foreign visitors is 5,000 CFA francs (about 9 USD) per person, which includes admission to the House of Slaves museum and other historic sites on the island.
How to Reach It: To reach the Island of Gorée, visitors can take a ferry from Dakar. The ferry departs from the Port of Dakar several times a day, and the journey takes about 20 minutes. There are also private boats available for hire, which can be arranged through tour operators or hotels.
Where to Stay: While there are no hotels on the Island of Gorée itself, there are several hotels and guesthouses located in Dakar, including the Terrou-Bi Hotel and the Radisson Blu Hotel. Visitors can also choose to stay in one of the many bed and breakfasts or guesthouses located in the nearby neighborhoods of Ngor or Almadies.
Next Stop: Saloum Delta