Unforgettable Goree Island

OVERVIEW

Take the ferry to notorious Gorée Island, where beginning in the 15th century countless slaves were held before being shipped to the New World. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, this island was once the largest slave-trading center on the African coast. In the House of Slaves, you will hear the curator’s lecture detailing the cruelty of that time period. You will then visit Saint Charles Borromeo’s Church and a fortress with a towering monument memorializing the Africans who were brutalized and dehumanized during the slave trade. During free time that follows, you can wander about the stark island and perhaps see the buildings and cells that housed the men, women and children who were shackled around the neck and arms. The Gate of No Return marks the spot where the Africans saw their last glimpse of their homeland before boarding ships for the New World. Your time on Gorée Island will be unforgettable.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit infamous Gorée Island, a former slave-trading center known for its cruelty.
• Hear a lecture regarding life on the island during the 350 years that slaving flourished.
• See an emotionally moving monument to the slaves and cells where they were held.
• Explore this UNESCO World Heritage site island further on your own.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.