The island of Gorée lies off the coast of Senegal, opposite Dakar. Pastel-colored houses sit along quiet cobbled streets, and there are no cars to shatter the calm. This beautiful setting belies the dark history here. From the 15th to the 19th century, it was the largest slave-trading center on the African coast with about 20 million enslaved Africans brought here on their last stop before being shipped to the Americas.
On this virtual tour, we will visit various sites related to the slave trade era, including the House of Slaves where enslaved Africans were marched through the Door of No Return to board the ships that would take them away from their native lands forever. We also visit various landmarks on the island, such as the former governor’s palace and the Fort d’ Estrées. We also hear about the island today, see some art forms that are prevalent on the island, and learn about a prominent girls school on the island.
Please note: though it may go without saying, this virtual tour covers some very serious and disturbing topics. While everyone will learn a great deal, it’s an emotional journey.
Tour highlights include:
