Fort Saint Anthony

Axim, Ghana

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Fort Saint Anthony, located near the coastal town of Axim in Ghana, was built by the Portuguese in 1515 as a massive triangular fortress on a rocky promontory near the Ankobra River. It was the second Portuguese fort on the Gold Coast, constructed to defend against local attacks and protect the lucrative gold trade in the region.

In 1642, the Dutch captured the fort and expanded it, making it a key stronghold in their Dutch Gold Coast colony, with control over surrounding trade routes and resources like timber and cotton. The fort played a significant role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade during the 18th century, and unlike many other forts, it remained continuously occupied through the 19th century until it was ceded to the British in 1872.

Today, it is a well-preserved historical site owned by Ghana, open to the public, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its importance in European colonial and trade history on the West African coast.