Fort Amsterdam
Central
Fort Amsterdam, originally known as Fort Cormantin, is a former English-built fort located in Abandze, Central Region, Ghana. Constructed between 1638 and 1645, it was captured by the Dutch in 1665 and later became part of the Dutch Gold Coast before being traded back to the British in 1868. Architecturally, the fort features a rectangular layout with two square and two round bastions connected by curtain walls, enclosing a central courtyard surrounded by various buildings of one to three storeys. Notably, the southeast bastion served as a slave prison with a grated ventilation roof, believed to be the first of its kind on the Gold Coast, where enslaved people known as Coromantee were held. The fort witnessed periods of conflict and decline, including its ruinous state after an attack in 1811, until restoration efforts in 1951. Today, Fort Amsterdam stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bearing testimony to European colonial influence and the tragic history of the Atlantic slave trade in West Africa, surrounded by the growing town of Abandze and scenic coastal views.
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Tip: Visitors are advised to explore Fort Amsterdam during daylight hours to fully appreciate its architectural details and historical significance. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons. Modest discounts may be available for students and groups. Guided tours can enrich the experience by providing in-depth historical context. The best time to visit is during the dry season to avoid disruptions from weather.
Zajímavosti
- •Fort Amsterdam was originally called Fort Cormantin and was built by the English between 1638 and 1645.
- •The southeast bastion was designed as a slave prison with grated ventilation, believed to be the first of its kind on the Gold Coast.
- •Slaves held at Fort Amsterdam were known as Coromantee, a term linked to the fort's name.
- •The fort changed hands multiple times between the English and Dutch during the 17th and 18th centuries.
- •In 1811, the fort was attacked and left in ruins by the people of Anomabo, allies of the British.
- •It was restored in 1951 by the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
Historie
Fort Amsterdam was built by the English between 1638 and 1645 as Fort Cormantin.
It was captured by the Dutch in 1665 during the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War and integrated into the Dutch Gold Coast holdings.
In 1811, the fort was attacked and left in ruins by local allies of the British.
It remained unoccupied until restoration by the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board in 1951.
The fort was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 due to its historical importance in the Atlantic slave trade and European colonialism in West Africa.
Průvodce po místě
Main Gate and Curtain Walls1638-1645
The main gate provides access through the solidly built curtain walls linking the bastions, showcasing 17th-century military architecture designed for defense and control.
Slave Dungeon (Southeast Bastion)17th century
This hollow bastion served as a slave prison with grated ventilation in the roof, believed to be the first such design on the Gold Coast, where enslaved people were held before transport.
Central Courtyard and Surrounding Buildings1638-1645
The fort's central courtyard is surrounded by a one-storeyed building to the west, a two-storeyed building to the north, and two- to three-storeyed buildings to the south, reflecting the fort's functional and residential architecture.