Elmina, Historic coastal settlement in Central Region, Ghana
Elmina is a coastal settlement on the Atlantic shore in Ghana's Central Region, featuring a major fishing harbor and two European fortifications on its peninsula. The town spreads along the waterfront with fishing boats, storage buildings, and historic stone structures forming the landscape.
The Portuguese built Elmina Castle in 1482 as the first European structure south of the Sahara, initially using it for gold trading. The fortress later became a center for trading in enslaved people, fundamentally reshaping the settlement's role and history.
The Bakatue Festival occurs each year on the first Tuesday in July, marking the start of the fishing season with traditional ceremonies. The community gathers to celebrate its bond with the sea and the role fishing plays in shaping daily life.
The fishing harbor operates daily with boats unloading their catch in the early morning, allowing visitors to watch the local fishing industry in action. The best time to visit is in the early hours when activity is highest and temperatures are more comfortable.
The Elmina fortresses contain separate dungeons with examination chambers where captured people underwent physical inspections before transport. These architectural spaces remain visible today as stark testimony to this harrowing chapter of history.
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