Island of Gorée
Senegal ·
Description
Gorée is a small island of colorful houses holding a heartbreaking history. The House of Slaves, with its Door of No Return, was the last African soil millions of people touched before crossing the Atlantic in chains. Today, its cobblestone streets and bougainvillea hide a museum of memory the world must not forget.
Why It's a World Heritage Site
Gorée symbolizes the African slave trade and its consequences. For over three centuries it was the largest slave trading center on the African coast. The House of Slaves has become a place of pilgrimage and reflection on one of humanity's darkest chapters.
UNESCO Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
For being a symbol of the slave trade and place of memory about one of history's greatest crimes.
It was inscribed in 1978 under criterion (vi).
Off the coast of Dakar, Senegal, 20 minutes by ferry.
The House of Slaves, Historical Museum, and colorful colonial streets.
Half a day is enough to explore the island and visit museums.