House of Slaves | Dakar

Information
Landmark: House of Slaves
City: Dakar
Country: Senegal
Continent: Africa

House of Slaves, Dakar, Senegal, Africa

The House of Slaves is a two-story red basalt building located on the eastern side of Gorée Island in Dakar, Senegal. It serves as a memorial to the Atlantic slave trade and is one of the oldest buildings on the island.

Visual Characteristics

The structure is built from dark volcanic basalt rock and red brick, featuring a distinctive double-curved staircase leading to the upper floor. The lower level consists of cramped, dark stone cells with iron-barred windows, while the upper level contains spacious living quarters with wooden floors and tall ceilings.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is situated on Rue de la Compagnie, approximately 200 meters from the Gorée Island ferry pier. Access requires a 20-minute ferry transit from the Dakar mainland terminal (Gare Maritime); once on the island, the house is reached via pedestrian-only sand and stone paths.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Constructed in 1776 by the Afro-French Signares, the house was designed as a dual-purpose residence and slave warehouse. It gained international prominence under the curatorship of Boubacar Joseph Ndiaye, who advocated for its preservation as a memorial site.

Key Highlights & Activities

The central corridor leads to the "Door of No Return," a narrow opening facing the Atlantic Ocean through which captives were reportedly moved to ships. The upper floor houses a museum with historical documents, shackles, and maps detailing trade routes.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There are no restrooms inside the building; public facilities are located near the harbor. The site offers minimal shade in the central courtyard, and 4G/5G cellular signals are functional but can be intermittent inside the thick-walled stone cells.

Best Time to Visit

Photography is most effective during mid-day when sunlight enters the "Door of No Return" or in the late afternoon for the exterior's red hue. The site is closed on Mondays and during the mid-day break (12:00 to 14:30).

Facts & Legends

While the "Door of No Return" is a powerful symbolic site for the African Diaspora, historians continue to debate the actual volume of embarkations that occurred specifically through this single doorway compared to larger ports.