Featured Articles

Reviews Spotlights

Sponsored Features

Snapshots

Visual History

Here we present a selection of very old photography depicting some of the history of Lagos.

In many cases, the original material was not very well preserved, but we have endeavored to reproduce and present the old history as clear and as good as was possible. Please also note that the paper used in the original rendition, was textured and this had resulted in very grainy reproductions.

Visual Archive Part 1 represents a brief glimpse into the history of Lagos that dates back to the early parts of the previous century.

It also represents the typical way of life during that period and it becomes clear to see how the town has transformed and evolved since then.
Visual Archive Part 2 presents a series of maps that detail the development of the town planning over a period of time. Some maps are more recent while others date back as far as 500 years.
Visual Archive Part 3 gives a glimpse into the bygone years of Lagos and displays a blend of architecture, infrastructure and what a typical day in the life of the Lagos community looked like.

Here you will also find some examples of how important the preservation of the architectural culture has been to the community.
Visual Archive Part 4 focuses on the aquatic infrastructure in and around Lagos. Here are a number of photographs showing the use of the canal and waterway of the Bensafrim River.

The beaches around Lagos has always been a major attraction for all. Here are a few photographs of some of the famous Lagos beaches form many years ago.
Visual Archive Part 5 presents to the viewer the key economic focus of the fishing industry and the associated support infrastructure around this industry.

Here you will also find some of the oldest pictures of the old railway station of Lagos.
Visual Archive Part 6 covers the commercial centre of the old town of Lagos.

In order to meet the demands of the surrounding communities, that were dependent on the commercial hub in Lagos, the need for the expansion and growth of the town was recognised by the local government at the time.

The last two pictures in theis archive, are both arial photographs taken of Lagos and shows clearly the growth the town had to contend with in order to meet these demands.
Visual Archive Part 7 represents a mix of the old and the newer. As the town expanded, the ever increasing demand for more space had the town planners faced with a delicate problem of maintaining the very old city walls and architecture, inspite of pressure for new development.
Visual Archive Part 8 relays the typical Algarvian Portuguese architecture of the town. Here we have a mix of the classic and the new developments side by side, to bear witness to the evolution of the styles over time.

Visual Archive Part 9 tells the sad story of many of the features of the town that do not exist anymore.
Visual Archive Part 10 is a further look at the architecture of the town. Here attention is given to both civil as well as the artistic aspects that are presented in the architecture.

Most Recent Articles