Elmina Castle

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Elmina Castle, Portuguese colonial fort in Elmina, Ghana.

The white stone castle stands on a narrow promontory between the Atlantic Ocean and Benya River, featuring high walls and multiple towers for defense.

Portuguese traders constructed this fort in 1482 as the first European building in sub-Saharan Africa, initially serving as a gold trading post.

The castle includes a museum with exhibits of photographs, artifacts from the slave trade period, local textiles, and displays about the Asante people.

Guided tours operate daily from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, leading visitors through the dungeons, cells, and the historical Door of No Return.

The castle exported approximately 24,000 ounces of gold annually during the 16th century, representing one-tenth of the global supply at that time.

Location: Central Region

Location: Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem Municipal District

Inception: 1482

Part of: Forts and Castles, Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions

GPS coordinates: 5.08274,-1.34821

Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:14

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