Gorée, Historic islet in Dakar, Senegal
Gorée is a small islet off the coast of Dakar in the Plateau/Gorée Arrondissement of Senegal, listed as a World Heritage Site. Narrow lanes with colonial buildings in yellow, orange and red tones connect the different neighborhoods and lead to small shaded squares.
Merchants from Portugal first reached the islet in 1444 and began establishing trading posts there. In the late 17th century, the Dutch took control and fortified the coast against attacks from the sea.
The House of Slaves now holds a memorial space documenting the forced transport of millions of people across the Atlantic. Visitors can walk through preserved rooms and the symbolic passage to the sea where captives were once led.
Ferries run throughout the day between the port of Dakar and the islet, bringing travelers across in about twenty minutes. The islet itself remains closed to cars, so exploring on foot is the only way to reach the lanes and buildings.
About 1,800 people live permanently on the islet and share the narrow paths with visitors who arrive daily. Without cars, the surroundings remain quiet, only occasionally interrupted by the call of vendors or the sound of ferries at the pier.
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