The Île de Gorée is a living memory of one of the darkest moments in history, the Transatlantic slave trade. From the 15th to the 19th centuries, the 50-hectare (124-acre) Gorée played a key role in the passage of around 20 million Africans kidnapped and sold into bondage. The collection of colonial-era fortresses, streets and buildings each tell a piece of the story. The Maison des Esclaves (House of Slaves) is a repository for artifacts related to slavery (you can also visit slave cells on the ground floor); the Fort d’Estrées, constructed in 1856, houses the Historical Museum of Senegal; and the elegant 18th-century homes of those who profited from the slave trade have finishes such as raftered ceilings, balustrades and polished basalt courtyards.
