Fort Prinzenstein

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The main building before the major erosion started in mid 1980s.
The main building before the major erosion started in mid 1980s.

Fort Prinzenstein (Danish: Fort Prinsensten) is a fort located at Keta, Ghana which was used in the slave trade.[1] Many such forts were built in Africa, but Prinzenstein is one of the few that lie east of the Volta River.[2] It was initially built by Danish traders in 1784 for defensive purposes in a war against the Anlo Ewe and to keep the area safe from other colonial powers. [3] The fort was used as a dungeon for slaves awaiting transportation to the Caribbean. In 1850 the fort, along with the rest of the Danish Gold Coast was sold to Britain.[4] The fort was used as a prison for a period before it was partially destroyed by the sea in 1980. [5] The remains of the fort are now visited by tourists. [6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ ghanatourism.gov.gh
  2. ^ ghanatourism.gov.gh
  3. ^ unesco.no. Some sources say 1780.
  4. ^ worldstatesmen.org
  5. ^ unesco.no
  6. ^ Ghana Consulate-General, New York

Coordinates: 5°54′39″N 0°59′31″E / 5.91083, 0.99194

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