Arch 22″It is something which seem not to belong to Banjul. Contrast.

Updated June 26, 2025

## Arch 22, Banjul: What to Know Before You Go (history, access, viewpoints)

Arch 22 is the dramatic city gate that signals your arrival into Banjul, The Gambia’s island-capital. Completed in 1996 to mark the 22 July 1994 military coup, it rises to about 35 m and stands at the traffic island where the Banjul–Serrekunda Highway meets Independence Drive, Box Bar Road and Marina Parade—the literal hinge between mainland and capital after Denton Bridge. Designed by Senegalese architect Pierre Goudiaby (Atepa), the arch is carried on eight columns and includes upper-level galleries with sweeping views over the port and the Tanbi Wetland Complex. A nearby “unknown soldier” statue—with baby in one arm, rifle slung, and V-sign—anchors the site’s iconography.

### Why it matters (and why words around it are changing)
Arch 22 is inseparable from The Gambia’s recent political history. It commemorates the coup that brought Yahya Jammeh to power; after his fall in 2017, the country’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) recommended reframing sites tied to abuses. In May 2022, the government announced plans to rename Arch 22 as the “Never Again Memorial Arch” and to add memorial elements honoring victims—part of a broader TRRC implementation program. As of 2024–2025, the rename and memorialization show up in official policy documents and public statements, though on-the-ground usage still often says “Arch 22.” Expect both names to circulate in guide copy and tour scripts.

> Data status to watch: the rename/memorial works have been announced and budgeted; timelines and execution have evolved. Verify current on-site wording and interpretive displays at the time of your visit. Fatou Online Media House

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## Planning your visit

### Location & map code
– Plus Code / GPS: FC69+42M (Banjul). Approx. 13.4603, −16.5825. It’s on the approach into Banjul shortly after Denton Bridge.

### Access & what you’ll see
– Climb for the panorama. Travelers consistently report stair access to the upper gallery with broad views over Banjul, the river, and Atlantic fringe. (Some references describe elevators and multiple floors in the design; in practice, expect stairs and variable access to upper rooms.)
– Small exhibit space. Several recent trip reports note a modest museum/photo display inside the monument—simple but useful for context. Exhibit content and opening status can vary.
– Iconic foreground. The unknown soldier statue by the base is a common photo stop; be mindful of framing to avoid sensitive government buildings nearby.

### Hours & fees (variable—treat as guidance)
– Reported hours: commonly daytime (roughly 9:00–17:00 on weekdays), with closures possible on Sundays/holidays. These times come from travel listings and can change without notice.
– Typical fees mentioned by travelers: ~50–200 GMD (about €1–€3) for entry up to the viewing level; occasionally free to view at ground level. Ask on arrival—pricing is not uniformly posted online.

> Outdated-data flag: Fees and staffing have fluctuated in recent years. Treat any quoted price or “open hours” you see online as indicative, not guaranteed; verify locally on the day.

### Best time & on-site tactics
– Light & heat: Aim for early morning or late afternoon when light is softer for skyline shots and temperatures are friendlier for the stair climb. (No formal source needed beyond practical climate sense; bring water.)
– Security-aware photography: The arch sits near State House and other official sites. Photography from public vantage points is generally tolerated, but avoid filming security personnel or restricted perimeters and follow instructions if asked to move along.
– Pair it smartly: Combine with Gambia National Museum and Albert (Royal Albert) Market to round out a half-day in central Banjul; many local tours follow this arc.

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## Reading the architecture

– Style & structure: A neoclassical-inflected city gate scaled to modern proportions, Arch 22 spans the roadway on eight columns with three internal levels. Its ~35 m profile makes it one of the tallest structures in The Gambia, which is partly why the viewing deck delivers such a wide sweep—over the port, mangroves of the Tanbi Wetland Complex, and the low-rise grid of Banjul.
– Authorship: Architect Pierre Goudiaby (Atepa) is also known for marquee West African projects (e.g., BCEAO headquarters in Dakar; African Renaissance Monument), which locates the arch within a regional story of late-20th-century monumentalism.

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## Context: Memory, naming, and how guides now talk about Arch 22

– From celebration to critical memory. Built to commemorate Jammeh’s 1994 coup, the arch was long used to tell a triumphal story. Post-2017, TRRC proceedings and advocacy reframed the site through victim-centered memorialization; debates included whether to convert the arch into a memorial or significantly re-interpret it.
– Policy follow-through. The government’s May 2022 White Paper accepted most TRRC recommendations and announced the rename to “Never Again Memorial Arch,” with interpretive elements to honor victims. Independent monitoring in 2024 notes partial progress overall on TRRC implementation; specifics on the arch’s physical updates are evolving. Expect mixed usage of the old and new names in 2025.

> Inclusion note: Guides and signage may still carry language from the old narrative. If you’re bringing children or survivors, be aware that content about past abuses may feature in future memorial text; ask your guide in advance how the site is currently interpreted. (This is consistent with the memorialization aims noted in official documents.)

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## Practical route & pairing ideas

– Getting there: Most visitors approach via Denton Bridge on the Banjul–Serrekunda Highway; taxis can be hired by the hour. The FC69+42M map code will get you to the roundabout.
– Half-day circuit: Arch 22 → Gambia National Museum (social history; compact) → Albert Market (textiles/spices). Many operators bundle these with Kachikally Crocodile Pool or Bijilo (Monkey Park) for wildlife interest.

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## Quick facts (verified)

– Architect: Pierre Goudiaby (Atepa).
– Completed: 1996.
– Height: ~35 m (about 115 ft).
– Setting: Intersection of Independence Drive/Box Bar Road/Marina Parade, at the entrance to Banjul.
– Statue: “Unknown Soldier” beside the base.
– Rename policy: Announced as “Never Again Memorial Arch” (2022 White Paper; ongoing implementation through at least 2024–2025).

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## Buyer-beware notes (transparency you’ll appreciate)

– Hours/fees fluctuate. Recent traveler reports and listings cite token fees (≈50–200 GMD) and daytime hours, but these are not consistently posted and may change with staffing and works. Confirm locally the day you go.
– Access conditions vary. Online descriptions reference elevators and multiple floors; in practice, stairs are the norm and areas above the gallery may be closed. If mobility is a concern, plan accordingly.
– Evolving interpretation. Because the site is transitioning from celebratory monument to memorialization focus, signage and tour narratives are in flux. Ask your guide what’s currently open and how the story is presented.

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### If you’re building an itinerary around it
Arch 22 is a 1–2-hour stop including photos and the climb. It pairs naturally with Banjul’s compact core and can be slotted into a half-day city tour. If you prefer a guide, reputable operators advertise city loops that explicitly include the arch, museum, and markets; skim reviews and confirm inclusions before booking.

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This guide prioritizes verified facts and flags data likely to change (fees, hours, renaming works). If you encounter updated on-site information—new signage, finished memorial elements—note it in your trip log; it will help keep future coverage accurate for everyone.

Key Highlights

Arch 22″It is something which seem not to belong to Banjul. Contrast.

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