Sights in Freetown
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Lumley Beach
With every patch of beachfront property purchased and many construction projects underway, it's not hard to imagine what Lumley Beach will look like in a few years, but for now development is pretty much limited to a few bamboo and thatch beer-shacks. Life guards and beach wardens are on duty and the public toilets and showers are kept clean, but the beach is not.
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Old Fourah Bay College
Gutted by fire in 1999, only the stone shell of the Old Fourah Bay College remains, but this 1848 building is graceful even in its decay. The World Monuments Fund lists it as one of the world's 100 most-endangered historic sites. There is talk of turning it into a community arts centre.
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Fourah Bay College
On Mt Aureol is Fourah Bay College, founded in 1827. It later became one of the first universities in sub-Saharan Africa. On the edge of campus is a botanical garden and you can follow the walking path through the forest down to the waterfall you passed on the drive up.
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Sierra Leone Parliament Building
Sierra Leone's Parliament Building sits atop Tower Hill, close to downtown. If MPs are in session the police might take you in for a look. Next to the entrance is the foundation of the Martello Tower, built in 1805 to defend Freetown against Temne attacks.
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Cotton Tree
The massive Cotton Tree, perhaps 500 years old, in the heart of town, is the city's principal landmark. Thousands of bats fly out en masse at dusk and return in the morning. This beloved tree casts its shadow on the Sierra Leone National Museum.
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Old Wharf Steps
The Old Wharf Steps, sometimes erroneously called the Portuguese Steps, lead up from Government Wharf. The stones were set in 1818. Many of the new arrivals brought here by the British to start a new life climbed these steps.
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King's Yard Gate
The ancestors of nearly all present-day Krios passed through King's Yard Gate. Now the site of Connaught Hospital, this is where the British brought rescued slaves to begin their new lives.
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Sierra Leone National Museum
The Sierra Leone National Museum has a small but fascinating collection of jujutrinkets and historical artefacts, including Temne Guerrilla leader Bai Bureh's drum, clothes and sword.
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Krio Houses
Many wood-framed Krio houses are scattered west of Tower Hill. A walk down Pademba Rd presents many good examples. Most date from the late 19th century and a few are even older.
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National Railway Museum
Visitors to the National Railway Museum are rare, but the short tour around these restored engines and cars is fairly interesting.
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Tower Hill
Freetown's beauty, and potential, shows clearly when seen from above. The views are especially good from Hill Station and Leister Peak.
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St John's Maroon Church
St John's Maroon Church is a squat white building with big windows built around 1820. Located two blocks southwest of the Cotton Tree.
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Law Courts
The ornate Law Courts have been beautifully restored following considerable war damage. Located immediately east of the Cotton Tree.
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Cape Sierra Hotel's Art Gallery
The paintings at the Cape Sierra Hotel's art gallery are interesting.
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State House
The State House is just up the hill overlooking the Downtown area.
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