Overview
Elmina Castle and Cape Coast Castle, both in Ghana’s Central Region, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Elmina Castle, built by the Portuguese in 1482, was the first trading post on the Gulf of Guinea and the oldest European building south of the Sahara. Cape Coast Castle, built by the Swedes in 1653 and later taken over by the British, was built in 1653 and later taken over by the Dutch. Both castles were used as slave trade posts during the transatlantic slave trade, with Elmina Castle carrying more captives than any other trading post in Africa. The Dutch took over Elmina Castle in 1637, and subsequently, the British took control in 1872. Slaves were kept in prisons on the African coast during the transatlantic slave trade before being shipped across the ocean. These dungeons were horrifying and frequently contained slaves. A significant slave factory called Cape Coast Castle could house up to 1,000 slaves. Surgeons examined them, the factory’s firm purchased them, and they were given labels. The bought-in slaves were held confined until a ship came. The revolting odor that came from the slaves’ feces and urine may still be detected today.
