Ile de Goree
Gorée is a 28-hectare island off the coast of Senegal, three kilometers away from the country’s buzzing capital Dakar. This beautiful panoramic island with pastel colored houses, bougainvillea-cut colonial buildings, tranquil waters, and exquisite shores bear a pretty dark past which ironically makes it an attractive tourist destination in West Africa. Historically, the île de Gorée was a strategic outpost for the commerce of the slaves, the island was highly sought after by European explorers because of its strategic position. In the 1400s it was ruled by the Portuguese, in the 1600s by the Dutch and in the 18th century by the British and the French. Gorée then became the centre of the European slave trade until 1848.
The Île de Gorée’s colorful, car-free, laid back atmosphere and alluring tranquility is in total contrast with its horrific history. The island is now a historic site and a Unesco World Heritage site that welcomes thousands of tourists every year. Some of the highlights of the island are the IFAN Historical Museum, which was once a fortress known as Fort d’Estrées, exhibitions in the museum cover the history of the island from Paleolithic times to today. Don’t forget to check out the vibrant arts community that make up present-day Île de Gorée. Find unique paintings, carvings, sculptures,jewellery, textiles, and all sorts of crafts.
