Matadi Collection

The New Congo Railway from Matadi to Stanley Pool (b / w photo)
1063523 The New Congo Railway from Matadi to Stanley Pool (b/w photo) by English photographer, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Opening of the Congo railway, page from The Graphic
The opening of the Congo Railway: the inauguration ceremonies. A page from The Graphic, 3rd September 1898. Among the photographs on the page are those showing a march past of the troops at Boma

Opening of the Matadi-Stanley-Pool Railway, Congo Free State (b / w photo)
1606360 Opening of the Matadi-Stanley-Pool Railway, Congo Free State (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Opening of the Matadi-Stanley-Pool Railway)

Stanleys Emin Pasha Relief Expedition leaving Matadi, on the Congo, with Tippoo Tib and his Wives (engraving)
1627194 Stanleys Emin Pasha Relief Expedition leaving Matadi, on the Congo, with Tippoo Tib and his Wives (engraving) by Overend

Matadi, Congo Free State - Leopold II and Colonial Officials
Matadi, the chief sea port of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the capital of the Bas-Congo province. Postcard celebrating the Independence of the Congo Free State

Stanley and Tippoo Tib leaving Matadi, 1887
Engraving showing Sir Henry Morton Stanley (1841-1904) (centre right on horse) and Tippoo Tib (1837-1905) (right of Stanley, with sword) leaving Matadi, on the Congo river, 1887

Congo railway, station at Matadi
Station at Matadi, forming part of the new Congo railway from Matadi to Stanley Pool. The railway took nine years to complete, and in the first five years only 25 miles of track was constructed

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Matadi: A Historic Hub of Congo's Railway Adventure 🚂 Step back in time to the late 19th century, as we explore the rich history of Matadi, a small port town located on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the starting point of the New Congo Railway, which stretched from Matadi to Stanley Pool, connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the heart of the Congo Basin. The opening of the Matadi-Stanley-Pool Railway in 1891 was a significant milestone for the Congo Free State, marking the beginning of large-scale European exploration and exploitation of the region. In this captivating image from "The Graphic," we see the inauguration ceremonies in full swing, with King Leopold II of Belgium and colonial officials in attendance. Another intriguing moment in Matadi's history is the departure of Henry Morton Stanley's Emin Pasha Relief Expedition, led by Tippoo Tib and his wives, from the town in 1887. This daring journey brought much-needed supplies to the stranded Emin Pasha, who was leading a small garrison deep in the Congo Basin. The railway's station at Matadi served as a crucial gateway to the vast, unexplored territories of the Congo. This black-and-white photograph from the opening ceremonies captures the excitement and anticipation of the era, as the world's attention turned to the wonders and challenges of the African continent. Join us as we delve deeper into the fascinating history and the Congo Railway, uncovering the stories of the brave explorers, colonial officials, and local leaders who shaped the course of history in this remarkable region.