Historical Monuments in Ghana

Cape Coast Castle

• The original timber construction for the Cape Coast Castle dates back to 1653. Later rebuilt out of stone, the castle was first used by the Swedish Africa Company for the timber and gold trade. Seized by the Danes in 1663, Cape Coast Castle was ultimately seized by the British the following year. Used in the trans-Atlantic slave trade until 1844, the landmark then became the seat of the Colonial Government of the British Gold Coast. When Ghana became an independent country, the castle was declared a national monument. During the 1990s, the national monument underwent a restoration by the Ghanaian government. Now considered a museum, Cape Coast Castle is open to the public free of charge. Guided tours are available, as is a book shop.

  Victoria Road
  P.O. Box 281
  Cape Coast
  Ghana
  +011-233-4-232701
  capecoastcastlemuseum.com

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park

• Named after Ghana's first president, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park is also home to his tomb as well as that of his wife. The park itself has a stone arch inscribed with "Freedom and Justice." Visitors will find a collection of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's personal belongings and writings housed in the small museum located behind the arch, as well as photographs depicting Dr. Nkrumah's life. Guided tours are offered daily. The park is also host to the annual Ghana Independence Anniversary Celebration held on March 6, as well as Ghana's annual Emancipation Day Celebration on August 1.

  Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
  C/o National Commission on Culture
  Private Mail Bag
  Ministries Post Office
  Accra
  Ghana
  +011-233-21-671610

Elmina Castle

• Elmina Castle was erected back in 1482 by the Portuguese as the first trading post on the Coast of Guinea. As such, Elmina is the oldest European building in existence that is south of the Sahara. Although the castle was originally a trading post, it later played an important role in the Atlantic slave trade. Seized by the Dutch and later the British, the castle eventually became the property of modern-day Ghana. The castle has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and is now open to the public as a museum. Tour guides are available for hire to explain the castle's history in more detail, and there is an on-site bar, restaurant and book store for visitors.

  Elmina Castle Museum (St. George Castle)
  P.O. Box 281
  Cape Coast
  Ghana
  +011-233- 42-32701
  elminacastle.info