On Gorée Island, off the coast of Dakar, the House of Slaves today stands as one of the most powerful symbols of the memory of the transatlantic slave trade. Built in 1776, this house served as a transit point for thousands of Africans deported to the Americas. Now a museum and place of reflection, it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors of all nationalities each year. Its famous staircase, cramped cells, and the raw emotion of the “Door of No Return” make it a site of world history and a poignant call for remembrance.

History of the House of Slaves

Dating back to 1776, the House of Slaves is believed to be the last slave house on the island, but Gorée experienced the slave trade as early as 1536 with the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch, English, and French. Captives—men, women, and children—were confined in tiny cells (2.6 m by 2.6 m, 15 to 20 people chained by the neck and arms). They sometimes waited nearly three months under extreme conditions, separated from their families. The house could hold up to 150–200 slaves at a time while awaiting shipment to the “New World.”

The “Door of No Return”

The most striking symbol of the site, the “Door of No Return,” opens downward directly onto the sea. It was through this opening that thousands of slaves were shipped to American plantations, with no hope of return. It represents the absolute severance from their homeland and the brutality of deportation. Today, it has become a universal site of reflection and contemplation on human dignity and collective memory.

The role of Boubacar Joseph Ndiaye

The international prominence of the House of Slaves is closely linked to Boubacar Joseph Ndiaye, its charismatic curator from 1962 to 2009. Through his stories, dedication, and pedagogy, Ndiaye helped bring Gorée’s history to global attention, transforming the House into a site of world memory. He welcomed figures from around the world and emphasized the importance of remembrance, turning visits into unforgettable experiences.

A Universal place of memory

Converted into a museum in 1962 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978, the House receives around 500 visitors daily. It has welcomed prominent figures such as Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, Pope John Paul II, Bill Clinton, and François Mitterrand, who came to pay their respects. The House symbolizes both the horrors of the slave trade, the resilience of African peoples, and the necessity of passing this history on to future generations.

Visiting the House of Slaves

• Cells: for men, women, children, or temporarily unfit individuals—tiny, dark, giving a sense of the harsh conditions endured.
• Main staircase: leading to the trader’s upper-level apartments, highlighting the contrast between luxury and misery.
• Door of No Return: the most moving part of the visit, symbolizing the passage from Africa to the Americas.
• Exhibitions: documents, maps, artifacts, and historical objects related to slavery and the transatlantic trade.

Guided tours, often led by passionate guides, place each element within the broader context of the “triangular trade.”

Anecdotes and key facts

• According to oral tradition, children, mothers, and fathers were systematically separated upon arrival: each cell had its designated occupants, with no hope of being on the same ship again.
• Some guides recount that a captive’s value depended on their teeth (for children) or musculature (for men), while women were sometimes valued higher depending on physical attributes.
• During the waiting period, one or two “unfit” slaves were sometimes released or left behind—some remained on Gorée and became the foundation of the island’s Creole community.
• Celebrities are said to have shed tears in front of the Door of No Return.

Things to do at the House of Slaves

• Explore the cells and the Door of No Return, immersing yourself in the history and emotion of the site.
• Listen to a guide’s narration to contextualize the House within the painful reality of the slave trade.
• Discover exhibitions and historical testimonies, sometimes enriched with original archives or old maps.
• Reflect and share the experience with other visitors.
• Extend the visit by exploring other museums on Gorée, colorful streets, or local artists’ workshops.

Practical information

• Location: Gorée Island, accessible by ferry (20 min) from Dakar.
• Access: Several daily departures from Dakar port; quay very close to the House.
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Mondays).
• Admission: 5,000 FCFA (approx. €8) for foreigners, 500–1,000 FCFA for nationals.
• Tips: Allow 1 hour for the visit, combine with the Historical Museum, and prepare children for the historical significance of the site.