The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Dakar Victories

Dakar in Senegal in Catedral metropolis

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Victories, consecrated in 1936 in the heart of Dakar, is the seat of the Archbishop of Dakar and the most emblematic Catholic temple in Senegal. Its Neo-Roman architecture and its bell tower dominate the skyline of the centre of the Senegalese capital.

Construction during the colonial period

The cathedral was built between 1929 and 1936, during the French colonial period, at the initiative of the French West African Governor-General. The project was designed by the French architects who designed a Neorromic-style building with Byzantine influences, reflecting the architectural eclecticism of the colonial era in West Africa.

The construction materials were partly local (Senegalese quarries stone) and partly imported from France. The cathedral was consecrated in 1936 under the title of Our Lady of the Victories, a Marian title with both spiritual and, unfortunately, colonial resonances.

Architecture and sacred art

The cathedral features a Latin cross plant with a central and two side ship, a semicircular apse and an imposing bell tower visible from several points of the city. The interior houses:

• Glass with scenes of the life of Mary and the holy missionaries of West Africa.
• Retablo mayor dedicated to Our Lady of the Victories.
• Side chapels with various Marian advocations and stations of the Via Cruces.
• Wood pulpit carved with intertwined African and Christian motives.

One of the most significant elements of the interior is the presence of decorative motifs of African inspiration in the capitals and in the moldings, an attempt - modest but real - to integrate local art into the sacred European space.

The cathedral in independent Senegal

After Senegal's independence in 1960, the cathedral remained the center of the country's Catholic life. In a country where more than 90% of the population is Muslim, the cathedral functions as a meeting space: the Muslim neighbours of central Dakar recognize it as part of its daily urban landscape.

The archbishops of Dakar who have occupied their seat since independence - starting with Hyacinthe Thiandoum, the first Senegalese archbishop, Cardinal since 1976 - have kept the cathedral as a place of interreligious dialogue. Ecumenical celebrations and meetings with Muslim leaders are frequent.

Time and access

The cathedral is open daily for prayer and liturgical celebrations. The Dominican masses attract a diverse community: Senegalese, Lebanese, French, residents of other West African countries. The building is visitable outside the veneration hours.