Bissau’s history can be seen at places with different focuses: Amura Fortress is home to the Amílcar Cabral Mausoleum and a monument to national heroes; at the port of Pidjiguiti, a sculpture, images, and monuments commemorate the massacre of August 3, 1959. Casa dos Direitos addresses a different topic: the transformation of a prison into a center for the protection of human rights. If you are looking for accommodation in Bissau, these cultural and historical themes can help you tailor your choice to your travel interests.

Amura Fortress: Remembrance and Entry Requirements

The mausoleum of Amílcar Cabral is located in Amura Fortress; his remains were interred there in 1975. The fortress also contains a monument to the national heroes. The independence fighters Titina Silá, Francisco Mendes, Osvaldo Vieira, and Pansau na Isna are buried at this site. In this way, remembrance of Cabral stands alongside remembrance of the named fighters. The 2018 guide describes access to the fortress as restricted because of its military status and states that a prior formal written request is required for entry. Check the current visitor requirements before planning a visit to this site.

Casa dos Direitos: Building and Human Rights

Casa dos Direitos is located in a former police station and prison in Bissau. The building was converted into the headquarters of the Guinean-Bissau Human Rights League and other non-governmental organizations. The 2018 guide describes a library, a resource center, and spaces for exhibitions and debates there. It also mentions a permanent exhibition, open to visitors, featuring photographs documenting the prison’s transformation into a center for the protection of human rights. Both the building’s former use and its transformation are therefore central here. Unlike the memorial sites in Amura and at the port of Pidjiguiti, Casa dos Direitos focuses on the connection between the building’s history and human rights protection. If you would like to visit the exhibition, check its current accessibility in advance.

Pidjiguiti: Memorial Sites and Morning at the Port

The event known as the Pidjiguiti Massacre is considered one of the most significant moments in Guinea-Bissau’s liberation struggle. The square in front of the port is home to the large fist sculpture “Mão de Timba”; images commemorating the massacre can be seen on a wall in the square. Monuments to the martyrs of the August 3, 1959 massacre stand at the port entrance. The memorials emphasize different aspects: a named sculpture, commemorative images, and monuments to the martyrs. The port’s morning atmosphere offers a different perspective. A 2018 guide describes lively activity and a variety of sounds, smells, and colors. This makes it possible to distinguish between the focus on remembrance and the port activity described.

Cathedral and Views of the Geba

Bissau Cathedral offers an architectural history focus: it dates from 1945 and was designed by architect João Simões. Avenida 3 de Agosto offers views of the Geba River estuary, the port, and Ilhéu do Rei, which lies opposite Bissau. At the same time, the road is in poor condition and is often occupied by heavy goods vehicles waiting for port clearance. The views and traffic conditions go hand in hand here; take both into account when planning. The cathedral, river estuary, and port offer different cultural, historical, and scenic themes to consider when making your choices in Bissau.

Discover more destinations: Bruce, Nhiquim.

Return to the main travel overview: Guinea-Bissau.