Mission Lodge
Inner Islands
The Mission Lodge, also known as the Mission Ruins of Venn's Town, is a historic Anglican mission settlement established in 1876 on Mahé Island, Seychelles. It was founded to provide shelter, education, and vocational training to freed slaves rescued by the Royal Navy from Arab dhows between 1861 and 1874. The mission included dormitories, workshops, kitchens, laborer huts, a storeroom, and a schoolmaster’s cottage, and cultivated nearby land with cocoa, vanilla, and coffee to support its operations. Children at the mission were taught carpentry, gardening, Bible stories, and psalm-singing in Creole, French, and Kiswahili. The settlement operated under three superintendents until its closure in 1889, after which the children were relocated to other African schools. The site is set in the lush hills of Sans Soucis within Morne Seychellois National Park and features a small cemetery for children who died from diseases. Renowned botanical artist Marianne North visited in 1882, capturing the area's natural beauty in paintings now displayed at Kew Gardens. Declared a National Monument in 1984, the ruins are recognized for their cultural significance and are on Seychelles' tentative UNESCO World Heritage list.
ヒント: Visit the Mission Lodge ruins during the dry season for the best weather and clearer views of the lush surroundings. Consider booking guided tours in advance to learn about the site's rich history and its connection to freed slaves. No need to purchase tickets online, but check local visitor center hours. Wear sturdy walking shoes due to the hilly terrain and bring water and sun protection.
興味深い事実
- •The mission was founded following the rescue of over 2,800 slaves from Arab dhows by the Royal Navy between 1861 and 1874.
- •The site included extensive facilities such as dormitories, workshops, kitchens, and a schoolmaster’s cottage to support education and daily life.
- •Marianne North, a famous 19th-century botanical artist, spent three weeks at the mission in 1882 painting its surroundings; her works are now exhibited at Kew Gardens in London.
- •The mission taught children in three languages: Creole, French, and Kiswahili, reflecting the diverse cultural influences of the region.
- •A small cemetery on-site holds graves of children who died from diseases like dysentery and diphtheria, as well as family members of the superintendents.
歴史
The Mission Lodge was established in 1876 as an Anglican mission to support freed slaves rescued by the Royal Navy between 1861 and 1874.
It was named after Henry Venn, a co-founder of the Church Mission Society.
The mission operated until 1889, offering education and vocational training to children of freed slaves and African plantation workers.
After its closure, the children were transferred to other schools.
The site was declared a National Monument in 1984 and added to Seychelles' tentative UNESCO World Heritage list in 2013 for its cultural importance.
場所ガイド
Dormitories and Workshops1876-1889
These large buildings housed the children and provided spaces where they learned carpentry and other trades, essential for their vocational training.
Schoolmaster’s Cottage1876-1889
The residence of the schoolmaster, where educational activities and administration were coordinated.
Agricultural Land1876-1889
About 50 acres nearby were cultivated with cocoa, vanilla, and coffee to financially support the mission’s upkeep.
Children’s Cemetery1876-1889
A small cemetery on the grounds where children who died from illnesses such as dysentery and diphtheria were buried, along with relatives of the mission superintendents.