Elmina Castle

Elmina Castle was erected by the Portuguese in 1482 as Castelo de São Jorge da Mina (St. George of the Mine Castle), also known as Castelo da Mina or simply Mina. It is the first European trading post built on the Gulf of Guinea and the oldest extant European building in Sub-Saharan Africa.

It was originally established as a commercial trading settlement for gold and other resources. However, it later became one of the most important stops along the Atlantic Slave Trade route, serving as a major holding and departure point for enslaved Africans.

The Dutch seized the castle from the Portuguese in 1637 and continued its operations until 1814. In 1872, it became a possession of the United Kingdom, and after Ghana gained independence in 1957, the castle came under Ghanaian control.

This castle is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, along with other castles and forts in Ghana, because of its testimony to the Atlantic Slave Trade in Ghana. Today, it stands as a major historical site and tourist attraction, preserving the memory of a significant chapter in world history.

🔒 IDENTITY VERIFICATION

·       Visitors must present valid identification at the point of entry to confirm their declared status.

·       Accepted forms of identification include national ID cards, student ID cards, passports, or other officially recognized documents.

·       Tourist identity cards will be inspected by site officials to verify eligibility for the selected ticket category.

                                                   ❗ NON-COMPLIANCE

·       Any visitor found to have misrepresented their status or paid an incorrect fee will be required to settle the outstanding balance immediately before entry is granted.

·       Failure or refusal to comply may result in denial of access, with no refund of previously paid amounts.

                                                         📌 DISCLAIMER
The Ghana Tourism Marketplace (GTM) acts solely as a booking and facilitation platform. Final admission is subject to on-site verification and compliance with official entry requirements as determined by site authorities.