Fort São Sebastião de Xama, Portuguese colonial fort in Shama District, Ghana.
Fort São Sebastião de Xama is a Portuguese colonial fort built on elevated ground with stone walls overlooking the Gulf of Guinea and defensive structures with watchtowers at each corner. The layout shows the typical design of trading posts from that period with their strategic positioning.
The Portuguese founded this fort in 1523 as a trading center, which later fell under Dutch control in 1642 during their expansion along the Gold Coast. The shifts in authority shaped the site's development across many generations.
The burial ground here holds the remains of Anton Wilhelm Amo, a major intellectual figure of the 1700s whose presence gives this place special significance. Visitors walking through can sense the connection between Africa and Europe during that era.
The fort is accessible by local transport from Takoradi, with guided tours available during the week. Wear sturdy footwear and bring water, as the site sits exposed with limited shade.
The Zamani Project created a complete digital scan of this site in 2013 using laser technology. This detailed record preserves the structure's information for future generations.
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