African Renaissance Monument, Colossal bronze statue in Ouakam, Senegal
Description
The African Renaissance Monument rises 52 meters (171 feet) above the Atlantic Ocean atop one of the Deux Mamelles hills near Dakar in Ouakam, ranking among the tallest bronze sculptures worldwide. The bronze memorial consists of three figures representing a family group, standing on a broad pedestal that houses multiple interior levels with exhibition spaces.
History
The inauguration took place in 2010 to mark 50 years of independence from France, celebrating the end of colonial rule. Planning began under President Abdoulaye Wade, who conceived the project as a symbol of the nation's renewal after colonialism.
Culture
The group shows a man carrying a child on his arm while leading a woman by the hand, with all three facing west to symbolize the continent's forward movement. Visitors can reach the viewing platform and observe the details of the monumental bronze figures up close during their ascent.
Practical
An elevator takes visitors inside to the observation points, offering views across Dakar and the Atlantic coast. Access to the hill follows a paved road, and the ascent to the pedestal is manageable for most visitors.
Did you know?
Artists from North Korea working for Mansudae Overseas Projects constructed the sculpture, creating the tallest bronze work in Africa. The copper used comes partly from mines in Mauritania, giving the work a regional connection.
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Dakar brings together various sites between historical heritage and the Atlantic Ocean. The Senegalese capital features several monuments such as the African Memorial Cathedral of 1929 and the African Renaissance Monument, 52 meters tall. The Théodore Monod Museum of African Art displays 9,000...
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