Among all the slave forts and castles in Ghana, the Elmina castle is the first trading post built by the Europeans before the trans-Atlantic slave trade unlike the Cape Coast castle.
The Elmina Castle is also known as the St George’s Castle which can be found in the township of Elmina in the central region of Ghana. The castle is about 158 kilometers from Accra and less than 20 minute drive from the Cape Coast Castle. It is a Unesco heritage site since 1979, which was constructed by the Portuguese in the year 1482 and later in the year 1637, became a property of the Dutch through conquest.
Recommended reading……….. Photos From The Cape Coast Castle In Ghana That Got Everyone In Tears
History And Construction of Elmina Castle in Ghana
In 1471, the Portuguese arrived in the Gold Coast as the first European under the kingship of King Afonso V, when Prince Henry the Navigator sent ship to explore Africa. Exploring was on the motive of finding a southern route that will be able to connect them from Europe to the Indies. They were also on the mission to propagate the gospel of Christianity which was the religion in the Europe.
On arriving at the Gold Coast specifically Elmina, Fernão Gomes who was a Portuguese trader found flourishing gold exchange previously settled among the locals and visiting Arab merchants. It was in this regard that he set his own trade post naming it ‘’ A Mina’’ in Portuguese know in English as the Mine.
The trade among the local people and the Portuguese developed from time to time. Meanwhile, there has been a newly crowned king in the Portuguese who then came up with the idea of constructing a fortress to provide security while they trade.
The King shipped building and construction materials to provide shelter for about 600 of their traders. He ordered Diogo de Azambuja to take charge of this project in the Gold Coast.
When Azambuja arrived in the Gold Coast in Elmina, he met with the local chief who was in the person of Kwamina Ansah under the interpretation by the already settled Portuguese traders. He made known of the peace and how significant the building of the fort will facilitate their trade. The chief then agreed and gave the approval to commence the construction.
In 1482, the Portuguese had constructed the newly built the trading post in Elmina and called it the St. Georges’ of the Mine Castle, otherwise called Castelo da Mina in the then Gold Coast. It was the main general store based on the Gulf of Guinea, and the most established European structure in presence south of the Sahara.
Trading of precious minerals such as gold, were transported to the Europe and the records has made it clear that one tenth of the world’s gold were exported yearly from this castle. later became one of the main key notable for the course of the Atlantic slave trade.
The castle became a property of the Dutch after taking over from the Portuguese in 1637. But before then, they had attempted and failed since 1596.
The trans-Atlantic slave trade begun in the 17th century in the Gold Coast and the castle was later converted from goods warehouse to a depot to keep enslaved Africans sold from the slave markets for shipment. Along the line, there has been battle for supremacy among the Europeans.
The castle became a property of the Dutch after they conquered the Portuguese in 1637. The Dutch made it their capital thereby building smaller forts to protect the castle. The trade of enslaved Africans in the trans-Atlantic slave trade continued till abolished in 1814.
The slave trade proceeded under the Dutch until 1814. In 6th April 1872, the Dutch Gold Coast, including the post (Elmina Castle), turned into an ownership of Great Britain.
Reconstruction of the Elmina castle
The Gold Coast now Ghana, gaining independence from the British in 1957, took control of the Elmina Castle. The castle was widely reestablished by the Ghanaian government in the 90s.
Today, Elmina Castle is protected as a Ghanaian public gallery and the landmark was assigned as a World Heritage Monument under UNESCO in 1979. It is a position of journey for some, African Americans trying to interface with their tragically missing heritage.
FAQ about Elmina Castle In Ghana
Question: what was exported from elmina castle docks?
Answer: The Elmina castle was a trade hub for the export of Gold.
Question: what was the elmina castle used for?
Answer: The castle was been used as a trade post between the Europeans and the local people.
Question: where is elmina castle located in ghana
Answer: Elmina castle is located in Elmina in the Central region of Ghana.
Question: who led the portuguese to build the elmina castle?
Answer: Diogo de Azambuja was the leader of the Portuguese in building the Elmina castle.
Question: which year was elmina castle built?
Answer: 1482
Question: who named the elmina castle
Answer: Diogo Azambuja
Question: which european built the elmina castle
Answer: The Portuguese built the Elmina castle.
Question: which region is elmina castle located?
Answer: Elmina castle is located in the Central region of Ghana.
Nearby Attractions To the Elmina Castle
Cape Coast Castle
Kakum National Park
Fort St Jago / Fort Conraadsburg
Forty San Sabastien
Working Hours
The castle’s opening hours are 9:00am to 4:30pm daily
Entrance Fees
| Pupils from Primary to JHS 3 | GH¢ 1.00 |
| SHS Students | GH¢ 2.00 |
| Tertiary Students with ID | GH¢ 3.00 |
| Ghanaian Adults | GH¢ 5.00 |
| Foreign Children | GH¢ 5.00 |
| Foreign Students with ID | GH¢ 30.00 |
| Adult Foreigners | GH¢ 40.00 |
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