Old Fourah Bay College Travel Guide: Top Sights in Sierra leone,

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Old Fourah Bay College- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Historical & Cultural; Sierra Leone; 5 Reviews

Suggested Duration: 2 hours

The Original Fourah Bay College building, situated in Freetown's east end, was established in 1827 as the first Western-style higher education institution in sub-Saharan Africa after Timbuktu's decline. Serving as the primary university option for British West Africans until World War II, this four-story laterite structure was founded in 1845 by Governor William Fergusson and overseen by Reverend Edward Jones, its first principal. A pivotal force in spreading Western education across Africa, the college relocated during the war, later housing the Sierra Leone Government Railway and a magistrate court before falling into disuse in the 1990s. Declared a National Monument in 1955, it remains a landmark in Africa's educational history.

Operators offering tours in Sierra Leone

Happy Explore Safari *

Attractions in Freetown

Lumley Beach

Sea Coach Express

3.4

Sierra Leone Peace Museum

3.6

Regent Rd Baptist Church

Hausa Mosque

Gadafi Mosque

4.4

Freetown Central Mosque

Aberdeen Lighthouse

3.8

Reviews of Original Fourah Bay College

Freetown Grandson

3
Reviewed: 2024-12-28

3 stars to call out safety risk until building preservation efforts are funded: Please be safe as this historical building is currently in ruins and climbing to the top of the steps is not safe, leads to a large drop. At our visit, the steps are not roped off and "keep off" signs have decayed. A historical landmark but stand away when taking photographs and make sure your children do not try to go up the steps. An amazing historical landmark of great significance in the history of Freetown. This was the site known as the "Athens of West Africa" and responsible for the education of many of West Africa's most influential leaders in that period. We hope the government and nonprofits can find a way to invest in the preservation of this site. It appears the World Monuments fund has actively sought out funding for an honorable investment in a stabilization project, but as of our visit, those changes had not been started.
Stacey Lancaster

4
Reviewed: 2024-10-18

Nice little place to visit if your interested in historic buildings/stories. Unfortunately not maintained, but also means it's free to enter.
Des P

3
Reviewed: 2024-06-23

Still interesting to visit
N'Fah

3
Reviewed: 2023-02-06

The road or street to FBC is horrible its needs to be resurfaced and the narrowness of the road curses a heavy traffic exiting campus 😮😮
Jake Muller

4
Reviewed: 2019-02-25

Port Freetown... Beautiful place