Most tourists visiting Sierra Leone are interested in beaches and nature – and after having seen the stunning beaches of the Freetown Peninsula, you’ll definitely understand why!
Around Freetown you’ll also find Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary and other notable nature-related sights, but there’s more! Our capital city is also a great destination for history and culture lovers, with a number of historical sights and monuments in the city centre, very easy to visit. Let’s have a look at 3 Freetown historical sights and monuments – plus a bonus one!
Top Historical Sights in Freetown You Must Visit
1. Old Wharf Steps
Built during Charles MacCarthy’s governorate in 1818, these steps leading to the port of Freetown are said to be one of the oldest structures in the city.
These steps served as a vital link between the wharf and the city, and Freetown’s first settlers walked up them to reach the fast growing city after docking at the port. The steps are also known as Portuguese Steps, but there is no connection between them and the Portuguese.
2. St John’s Maroon Church
St. John’s Maroon Church is a Methodist church, one of the oldest in the entire country. It was built by the Jamaican Maroons, one of the first ethnic groups to settle in Freetown in 1800. Over time, they transitioned from African beliefs to Christianity, and recently the church celebrated its 200th anniversary.
This charming church is a modest white structure surrounded by a low white wall, and it’s located in the part of Freetown still known as Maroon Town. Part of the pews and roof beams found in the interior of the church are made with the same timber as the ship that carried the Maroons from Jamaica to Sierra Leone.
3. Old Fourah Bay College
Built in 1827, Fourah Bay College was the first public Western-Style university in sub-saharan Africa, where lectures and exams were held as late as the 1990s.
The building was sadly destroyed in 1999 after a fire broke out during the Civil War. There’s a new Fourah Bay College, but the ruins of the older structure are still standing and look very fascinating as they are slowly crumbling and are being reclaimed by the vegetation.
BONUS! The Cotton Tree
The huge Cotton Tree was once Freetown’s best known sight, before a storm sadly knocked it down in May 2023. The tree was said to be older than the city itself, as there are illustrations showing the first inhabitants of the city resting under its branches. Part of its trunk is still standing, so make sure you pay it a visit!
