For a glimpse into Senegal’s history, visit the historic island of Gorée, just off the coast of Dakar. Explore the Maison des Esclaves (House of Slaves) and reflect on the painful legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. The island’s colorful architecture and tranquil streets offer a stark contrast to its dark past.
Board a ferry ride to Gorée Island, major slave-trading center between the 15th and 19th centuries. This UNESCO World Heritage Site reminds visitors of the opulence and cruelty of the slave trade with its preserved colonial homes and slave quarters, where Africans were held before being shipped to the New World as slaves. Here, visit the Saint Charles Church, Fort d’Estrées and its museum documenting the history of this period, as well as the poignant House of Slaves and its Door of No Return, which marks the slaves’ final stop before leaving Africa.
