Elmina castle is located in present day GHANA in West Africa. It was built in 1482 by the Portugese as a trading post but later served as a slave trading post.
Elmina castle is the oldest EUROPEAN building in sub sahara Africa.
It was designed like most West African Slave Fortresses built during the slave trade era. The castle consists of several sections. The upper levels served as the living quarters of the europeans, and the governor's quarter was located at the topmost level.
The slave dungeons are below the upper levels of the castle and are often filthy and cramped. One cell can contain as many as 200 people at a time. At a time during the slave trade period , the castle held up to 1000 slaves.
Elmina castle is now designated as a World Heritage Monument by UNESCO.
So if you are visiting West Africa as a tourist, ELMINA CASTLE should be on your list.
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