Cape Coast Castle, Historical fortification in Cape Coast, Ghana
Cape Coast Castle is a stone fort along the shoreline of Cape Coast with thick walls, several towers, and underground chambers connecting different areas of the compound. The structure covers a large part of the waterfront and includes courtyards, storage rooms, and living quarters on multiple levels.
Swedish traders built the original wooden fort in 1653 for gold and timber trade, before it changed hands between Danish and British colonial powers. The site was rebuilt and expanded several times over the centuries, with the current stone structure dating mostly from the British period.
The fort houses the West African Historical Museum with traditional drums, colonial-era weapons, trade objects, and finds from regional kingdoms. Visitors walk through exhibition rooms and see how European and African cultures met over centuries.
Tours of the fort run daily from 9 AM to 4:30 PM, allowing visitors to explore the dungeons, towers, and museum sections with professional guides. The underground areas can be narrow and dark, so visitors should wear sturdy shoes and watch for uneven steps.
The site served as British colonial headquarters until 1877 and was one of the first locations for formal European education in Ghana. The upper floors still contain preserved governor's living quarters with views over the Atlantic.
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