Island of Gorée

(Image source: ljubar, Flickr)

The island of Gorée lies off the coast of Senegal, opposite of Dakar. It was the largest slave-trading center on the African coast. Ruled in succession by the Portuguese and French, its architecture is characterized by the contrast between the grim slave-quarters and the elegant houses of the slave traders. Today it continues to serve as a reminder of human exploitation and as a sanctuary for reconciliation.