Dakar Introduction Walking Tour II (Self Guided), Dakar

Place de Soweto is the downtown square of Dakar. The square is home to a popular statue representing an Afro-American woman and man, holding each other's hands. The square is surrounded by the IFAN Museum of African Arts and the National Assembly of Senegal. The Place de Soweto is one of the most popular places in Dakar.

The Musée de l'Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire or IFAN Museum of African Arts in Dakar is one of the oldest art museums in West Africa. It was promoted by Léopold Senghor, the country's first President. In December 2007, its official title was changed to The Théodore Monod African Art Museum ("Musée Théodore Monod d'Art africain"), after the French naturalist Théodore André Monod, former director of IFAN. Previously its official name had been "Le Musée d'Art africain de l'Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire Cheikh Anta Diop IFAN/CAD".

The museum is part of the Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire (IFAN) institute, founded 1936 under the Popular Front government in France. When IFAN was transferred to Cheikh Anta Diop University in 1960, the building at Place Soweto near the National Assembly of Senegal was converted into a museum. It is today one of the most prestigious centers for the study of African culture and part of the Cheikh Anta Diop University. As the main cultural research center of the colonies of French West Africa, it contains important collections from across Francophone Africa. The museum is one of the regular locations used in the Dakar Biennale exhibition, showing art by contemporary African and diaspora artists.

Cathédrale du Souvenir Africain de Dakar is the largest religious space in Dakar. Built on the site of an ancient cemetery, the cathedral was consecrated by Cardinal Verdier in February 1936. Its Sudan-style towers, Byzantine domes and Sudan sandstone are combined with English granite, creating of the cathedral a splendid landmark. The cathedral is topped with a large dome distinctive for its 20 windows in Greek style. Its entrance features the inscription "To the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus the Savior."

Palais de la République is a historic building which served as the home of the General Governor of the French West Africa federation and is now the home of the president of Dakar. The construction of the palace started in 1902 under the order of Gaston Doumergue. The palace was built in Neo-Classical style, topped with a tower inspired by the Trocadero of the Palais de Chaillot in Paris. The construction of the palace lasted 5 years and on 28 June 1907 it was inaugurated as the Government Palace. With the success of the last governor Pierre Messmer during 1958-1959, the palace underwent many renovations, these giving the palace its current appearance.

Marche Sandaga is the largest market in Dakar. It occupies a three-story building, its vendors selling everything from fruits and vegetables to fabrics and electronics. You will also have the opportunity to buy a variety of handicrafts and souvenirs. Outside the market, the avenue Emil Badiane is also filled with vendors, selling anything that will acquaint you with Senegal's culture and traditions.

The Dakar Grand Mosque is one of the most important religious buildings in the capital of Senegal. It is situated on Allée Pape Gueye Fall. Designed by French and Moroccan architects, The Grand Mosque was opened in 1964 by Hassan II, King of Morocco and Senegalese President Léopold Sédar Senghor.

Richly decorated on the interior and exterior, it is stylistically similar to the Mosquée Mohammed V in Casablanca. It's minaret rises to 67 meters.

Created in 1964 and situated in the enceinte of the Grand Mosque, the Institut islamique is a public institution under the direction of the Senegalese Minister of Education, dedicated to Islamic research and teaching. The library of the Institute, named for prince Naef Ben Abdelaziz Al-Saoud was opened 9 October 2004.

Cheikh Oumar Foutiyou Tall Mosque is a relatively young mosque, located in front of Porte du Troisième millénaire statue in Dakar. The mosque features modern Islamic architecture and is considered a refreshing landmark among Dakar's beauties.

Porte du Troisième millénaire is a modern monument in Dakar. It symbolizes the African continent at the crossroads of the millennia. The monument is 16.50 m in height, and is actually a silhouette facing the sea in combination with three doors, each with a message, surrounded by three baobab trees offered by King Fahd and a pool- its water symbolizing life. The statue was inaugurated in 2001, and was designed by the Senegalese architect Pierre Goudiaby Atepa.