Cais do Valongo: A Testament to History

Cais do Valongo, situated in Rio de Janeiro's port area, is a historical dock that marks a significant, albeit tragic, period in Brazilian history. Constructed in 1811, it functioned as the main point of arrival for enslaved Africans until 1831 when the transatlantic slave trade was officially prohibited. During those two decades, an estimated half a million to one million Africans were forcibly brought to Brazil through this port, making it the largest slave port in the world. Prior to Valongo, slaves disembarked at Praia do Peixe (now Praça 15) and were traded in Rua Direita. However, in the late 1770s, the slave trade was moved to Valongo to distance it from the city center. In 1843, the dock was renovated for the arrival of Princess Teresa Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, who was to marry Emperor D. Pedro II, and it was renamed Cais da Imperatriz (Empress Wharf). Over time, the area around the dock became known as Pequena África (Little Africa), a space occupied by black slaves and freedmen from various nations. However, with the modernization of the port in the early 20th century, the wharf was buried and largely forgotten. It was rediscovered in 2011 during excavations for urban renewal projects related to the 2016 Olympic Games. In 2017, UNESCO recognized Cais do Valongo as a World Heritage Site, acknowledging its importance as a physical representation of the history of slavery and the African diaspora in the Americas. Today, visitors can see the remnants of the original cobblestone steps and learn about the history of the site through informative plaques. The site serves as a place for reflection and remembrance, honoring the lives and experiences of the enslaved Africans who arrived there.