Ziguinchor Colonial Quarter (Escale)
Quartier Escale
The old quarter on the Casamance River, with arcaded colonial buildings from the Portuguese and French periods, shaded streets and John Paul II Square.
Ziguinchor was founded by the Portuguese in 1645 and handed over to France in 1888, and it still has a community that speaks a Portuguese-based Creole. The old quarter, Quartier Escale, lies on the south side of the river harbour. It preserves colonial-era trading houses with wooden balconies and arcades, old banks and the town hall. Tall mango and flame trees line the streets, and at the centre are John Paul II Square and the Cathedral of St. Anthony. The district is small, and you can explore it on foot in 1 to 2 hours, with time to visit the riverside harbour and market along the way. Most colonial buildings are private properties or government offices, so admire them from outside only. Avoid photographing military or police facilities.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Cathedral of St. Anthony of Padua, Ziguinchor
- Ziguinchor Port & Le Joola Memorial
- Marché Saint-Maur des Fossés
- Casamance River Mangrove Pirogue Trip
- Ziguinchor Artisans' Market
- Alliance Franco-Sénégalaise de Ziguinchor
- Affiniam Impluvium Village
- Enampore Impluvium House