House of Slaves
Maison des Esclaves
Despite a fraught and controversial history this African island holds a powerful monument to the tragedy of the slave trade.

📜 Museum and memorial on Gorée Island, 3 km off the coast of Dakar, Senegal.
🔍 Dedicated to the victims of the Atlantic slave trade, featuring the symbolic 'Door of No Return'.

Why Go

🏛️ Experience a powerful and moving memorial to human cruelty
🌍 Connect with African heritage and history, a site of pilgrimage
🚶 Easily accessible by a 20-minute ferry ride from Dakar
⭐ Visited by notable figures like Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama

Why Avoid

⚠️ Historical significance and slave numbers are debated by scholars
🚧 The 'Door of No Return' is symbolic; no ships docked directly there

Tips

🚶 Actual slave departures occurred from a jetty hundreds of yards away
🗣️ Main exhibition texts are in French only
📚 English brochures are available for purchase

Last updated 5 days ago

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