The House of Slaves is the island's most visited and most haunting site. Built around 1776, it served as a trading house and holding facility during the Atlantic slave trade. The small, dark cells where enslaved people were held before being loaded onto ships give the place its terrible power — and the "Door of No Return," opening directly onto the sea, has become one of the most potent symbols of the slave trade in the world.
Historians debate how many people actually passed through Gorée specifically — the numbers may be smaller than once claimed — but the building is a legitimate monument to a broader history of enormous suffering. The guided tours, led by staff from the island, are worth taking.
Admission is charged. The house is closed on Mondays.