Slave Market - Route of Enslavement Museum Nucleus

Category: Civil Architecture > Customs House

District: Faro > Lagos > Lagos > Bairro Operário

Description of the historical building

The Slave Market, also known as Military Vedoria or Lagos Customs, is a Mannerist architecture building located in Lagos, Algarve, Portugal. It has a simple structure with two floors, with the ground floor used for the slave trade.

Historical significance

The Slave Market is an emblematic monument of Lagos, standing out for its architecture and its connection to the Portuguese Discoveries. It was the place where slave sales took place, playing a significant role in this historical context.

Building composition

The building has a main facade facing southeast, with a narthex on the ground floor and two large windows on the second floor. It also has side facades with arches and windows, as well as a stonework frieze that separates the floors.

Classification as a Monument of Public Interest

The Slave Market was classified as a Monument of Public Interest in 2014, recognizing its historical and architectural importance.

History of the Slave Market

The original building was built in the 15th century to serve as a slave market. Lagos was an important maritime trading center with the African coast, driven by Infante D. Henrique during the Portuguese Discoveries.

Expansion and later use

In the 17th century, the first floor was added to the building to function as a guardhouse. Over time, the Slave Market went through different uses, until it was closed in 2007 as a Customs Post.

Redevelopment project

At the end of the 2000s, the Lagos City Council planned the installation of a museum center in the Slave Market, dedicated to slavery, integrating the UNESCO Slave Route program. The building's redevelopment works began in 2014 and were completed in 2016, resulting in the opening of the Slave Market Center.

International recognition

In 2018, the Slave Market was awarded by the International Observatory of Human Rights as an International Center of Living Memory of Human Dignity, highlighting its transformation into a space for culture and dissemination of peace.

Visit to the Museum Center

The Slave Market Museum Center offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the history of slavery in Lagos. The museum opened in 2016 and features exhibitions and audiovisual resources that portray this historical period.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercado_de_Escravos

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt