Providence Island
Visit Providence Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the first places where freed American Slaves arrived to build a new life in West Africa in 1822 and subsequently founded the nation known today as Liberia. Conversely, Providence Island also served as a station of departure and point of no return for those who were forcibly removed from their homes and enslaved in the Americas during the slave trade.
Centuries afterward, some of the descendants of people taken from Africa returned and went on to build the country of Liberia, independent, for almost 200 years. The 250-year-old Cotton Tree still stands on Providence Island to this day as a testament to hope for humanity and the journey that led to Liberia's national identity. Visitors will also see a model palaver hut that settlers would have lived in at the time.
Beyond this, Providence Island remains a place of reconciliation, forgiveness, and social cohesion after many years of internal strife in Liberia. A metal tree stands on the island as a symbol of peace, freedom, and the nation's ability to resolve conflicts. Providence Island lies just north of Monrovia's city center, 500 meters from where the Mesurado River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Be sure to pre-arrange your visit to Providence Island with a guide to ensure ease of access and learn the full story of the incredible events that make this one of Liberia's most distinct places to visit.
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