Elmina Castle

Introduction

Elmina Castle built by the Portuguese in 1482 was the first fort built on the Gulf of Guinea in the present day town of Elmina. It is also the oldest European building south of the Sahara Desert. The castle quickly became an important stop along the Atlantic Slave Trade. This was continued even after the Dutch took over the fort in 1637. The British took control of the fort in 1871 and ended the slave trade. Today the castle is considered a popular tourist destination and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Currently the castle is undergoing major renovations that should be completed in 2015.