Possession of it was stolen back and forth as the slave trade grew bigger and more lucrative in the 1600s and 1700s. When you walk through the dungeons today, it is terrifying to imagine the reality of what took place in these suffocating spaces just over two centuries ago. ‘Cabo Corso,’ meaning ‘short cape’, is the name the Portuguese settled on for the local settlement within which its trade lodge was built in 1555. Cape Coast Castle was a way station in history’s largest, and darkest, forced human migration. To finish creating your account, please click the link we just sent to. You can only access your trip information and Expedia Rewards points from the Expedia site you booked on. Tel +233-3321 32529. Inside the female dungeons at Cape Coast Castle. A visit to Cape Coast Castle includes a very good guided tour, with much of the history explained. Finally, the British fleet, led by Captain Holmes, conquered the fort in 1665 and by 1700, had upgraded it into a castle. Atlas Obscura and our trusted partners use technology such as cookies on our website to personalise ads, support social media features, and analyse our traffic. Please check you have entered your email address correctly. You start in the dungeons, where the slaves were held. USD 2.00 or its equivalent in Ghana cedis, USD 4.00 or its equivalent in Ghana cedis, USD 7.00 or its equivalent in Ghana cedis, This website has been designed with co-funding from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the framework of the project. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Ga-Adangbe Caskets - Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop. Visit Cape Coast Castle (Cape Coast) with Expedias guide! Somewhere around 12 millions slaves were sent from Africa, millions of whom died in the process. In 1757, for example, an attack by the French badly damaged the fort, leading to a complete reconstruction. A French naval squadron bombarded Cape Coast Castle, leaving it badly damaged, and after 1760, the English reconstructed the castle entirely - with more durable materials and an improved sea defence system. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Then, moments later, you’ll be out of the dungeons and wandering by the church or strolling down long hallways leading to officer’s quarters with pleasant views over the sea—two adjacent spaces set entire worlds apart. © 2020 Expedia, Inc, an Expedia Group Company. All rights reserved. © 2020 Atlas Obscura. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. No purchase necessary. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. In the eighteenth century, the castle’s role altered, as it became the centre of European education in Ghana. The site’s first establishment was built by the Swedish Africa Company, whose officers had established good relations with local chiefs. Featuring up-to-date information on top attractions, accommodation, travel tips and more. All rights reserved. Its corruption to ‘Cape Coast’ is now the accepted name of the capital of the Central Region of Ghana. Inside one of the castle's dungeons, where slaves were kept. This monument is a stark reminder of the horrors of the Zanzibar slave trade.