Slavery has been a recurring theme and although long past, the Slave Route now allows you to rediscover and remember events that have reshaped the face of mankind.
The forts and castles along Ghana's coast can be dated back to the 15th Century and were built and occupied at different times by European traders such as the Portuguese, Spanish, Swedes, Germans and the British to safeguard their trading posts.
Across Ghana vestiges of the past such as national monuments, historic sites, relics and castles remain for any visitor to rediscover.


1. Fort Eliza Cathargo, Ankobra. Built by the Dutch in 1702, only traces of the ruins are now visible.

2. Fort S. Antonio, Axim. Portuguese trading post in 1502. It was destroyed by the townspeople in 1514. The second fort was built by the Portuguese on the present site in 1515.

3. Fort Appolonia, Beyin. Dutch lodge c. 1660. British fort built between 1750 and 1770. It was reconstructed between 1962 and 1968.

4. Groot Friedrichsburg or Fort Hollandia, Princesstown. Danish lodge in 1658, the fort was built in 1683.

5. Fort Sophie Louise, Takrama. The lodge was built by Brandenburgers in 1690, and was an English fort in 1691. In the present day, only the foundations are visible.

6. Fort Dorothea, Akwida. Built by Brandenburgers in 1685. Present day it is in ruins.

7. Fort Metal Cross, Dixcove. The fort on the bay (Dick's or Dickies Cove). Work commenced in 1683. It was restored between 1954-1966.

8. Fort Batensteyn, Butri. A Swedish post from 1650-1652. Dutch fort built, 1656.

9. Fort Orange, Sekondi. Probably built by the Dutch in 1640.

10. Fort St. Sebastian, Shama. First built as a Dutch lodge in 1526. The Portuguese built the fort in 1590 an restored it between 1954-1957.

11. Fort Vredenburg, Komenda. An English trading post in 1663.

12. Fort St. Jorge, Elmina. Built by the Portuguese in 1482. First European fort on the Gold Coast, it was improved before 1500.

13. Fort St. Jago (Conraadsburg), Elmina. The chapel was built between 1555 and 1558 by the Portuguese. It was turned into a lodge and watchtower and was restored between 1956 and 1960.

14. Watchtower, Elmina. It is presumed to be Dutch but of unknown date, it was restored in 1956.

15. Coast Castle, Cape Coast. Built as a lodge by the Dutch in 1630 on an abandoned lodge built earlier by the Portuguese. Extensively rebuilt before 1757 - 1780. Present day it is the Cape Coast Castle Museum.

CAPE COAST OUT FORTS
16. Fort Victoria, Cape Coast. Built by the English in 1702.

17. Fort William, Cape Coast. Built by the British between 1819-1820.

18. Fort McCarthy, Cape Coast. Built by the British in 1822.

19. Fort Nassau, Cape Coast. At Mourie. A Dutch post in 1598. Dutch fort built 1612.

20. Fort William, Anomabu. Built by the Dutch in 1640. Restored in 1954.

21. Fort Amsterdam, Kormantse. Dutch trading post in 1595. Dutch built lodge in 1631. The fort was rebuilt by the English in 1645.

22. French post, Amoku. Near (Ankafal or Saltpond) built in 1786.

23. English post, Tantum. English post intermittently occupied from 1662. English fort built in c. 1724.

24. Fort Leydsaemheyt (Fort Patience), Apam. Built by the Dutch between 1696-1702.

25. Fort Goedehoop (Good Hope), Senya Beraku. Dutch fort established in 1667.

26. Fort Lames, Accra. It may have been a Portuguese lodge built in the middle of the 16th century (probably around 1576).

27. Fort Crevecoer (Ussher Fort), Accra. Dutch post built in 1642.

28. Christianborg Castle, Accra. A Portuguese fortified house in 1500. Swedish lodge built in 1652. Rebuilt and used as a residence of the British Governor of the Gold Coast between 1877-1957. The residence of Prime Minister of Ghana and renamed Government House, Osu in 1957. It then became the official residence of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in 1960 and has remained the seat of Government. It has been frequently rebuilt with additions in recent years. Not open to the general public.

29. Fort Augustaborg, Teshie. Dutch post in during the 1730 an 1740's.

30. Fort Vernon, Prampram. British post in 1740.

31. Fort Kongenstein, Ada. Portuguese trading place in the 16th Century.

32. Fort Prinsenstein, Keta. Danish post established in c. 1714.