Christiansborg Castle Exterior (2021) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
A major landmark on the coast of Ghana
Fort Christiansborg also known as Christiansborg Castle or Osu Castle is located in Accra, the capital of what is present day Ghana. It is a major landmark on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea and bears witness to the dark era of the transatlantic slave trade.
Christiansborg Castle Exterior (2021) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Between the 15th and 18th centuries, many castles, forts and lodges were built along the coast of Ghana. Many have disappeared completely, but 28, including the Christiansborg Castle, were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1979.
The Portuguese arrive first...
The Christiansborg Castle has a complex history covering an extended period of inter-European intrigue, competition and aggression for trading opportunities and wealth acquisition on the west coast of Africa. The Portuguese were the first to build a makeshift trading post on the site in the 16th Century.
Christiansborg Castle Exterior (2021) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
...the Danes arrive next
In 1661, the land was acquired by the Danes from the Ga King, Nii Okaikoi for 3200 gold florins. The Danes then built a small stone fort which they named after King Christian of Denmark and Norway. Thus the name ‘Christiansborg,’ means ‘Christian’s Castle.’
Nana Asamani of Akwamu (2021) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
The Akuamus capture the fort
The fort shows evidence of the groups that have owned and used it at different times such as the Portuguese, Swedes, Danish-Norwegian and the indigenous Akwamu people. In 1693, Nana Asamani of Akwamu led a revolt to seize the Christiansborg Castle and held it for over a year before returning it back to the Danes. A statue of Asamani holding the keys can be found in Akwamu and are displayed in the Royal Palace Museum there.
Christiansborg Castle Exterior (2021) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
The seat of government
In subsequent years the fort quadrupled from its original size, due to the escalation of trade in gold, ivory and enslaved Africans. It changed ownership several times eventually becoming the seat of the British colonial administration for the Gold Coast and then the seat of government when Ghana finally gained its independence in 1957.
A View of the Atlantic Ocean from The Castle (2020) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
Atlantic ocean view from the castle
The Christiansborg Castle is perched on a cliff in Osu, Accra, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It was built mainly for trading gold, ivory and enslaved people. Small boats ferried goods and captives to large ships docked in the deeper waters off the coast.
Cliff Overlooking The Atlantic Ocean (2020) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
A brutal Middle Passage from Ghana to U.S. Virgin Islands
From these shores, many African captives were brutally and forcibly shipped to the Danish Antilles in the Caribbean. The islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John, now the U.S. Virgin Islands, were sold by Denmark to the U.S. for $25 million in gold in 1917. On these islands large fortunes were made using the slave labor of African captives in sugar cane plantations.
Christiansborg Castle Entrance (2020) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
The entrance to the fort
Many alterations have been made to the fort over the years but the small arch-shaped entrance is still labelled with a Danish imperial monogram. Newer additions to the Christiansborg Castle are still used as government offices. A part of the old Fort is also currently used as the ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre.
Christiansborg Castle Courtyard (2020) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
A place of human captivity
The courtyard gives an idea of the various groups that inhabited the fort over time. In the center is a three-path stairway. On both sides are buildings with monograms and the years in which they were built and at its base, on the right are storerooms used as warehouses for goods including gold, elephant tusks and liquor. On the left, the dungeons which are now sealed were used for holding human captives.
Water cistern
On the left-hand side of the entrance is a water-cistern built by Carl Gustav Engmann, Danish Governor of the Fort from 1752 to 1757.
Christiansborg Castle Monograms (2020) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
Christiansborg Castle Monograms
Monographs can be still be found today throughout the castle from its various occupiers.
Pictures viewing clockwise:
1. British Monogram, 1921
2. Danish Monogram, 1790
3. British Monogram, 1950
4. Danish Monogram, 1791
5. Danish Monogram, 1791
Governor's Dining Hall (2021) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
Governor's dining hall
At the heart of the Fort, is the governor’s dining hall adjacent to the great room, used to entertain visiting merchants and negotiate trade deals over elaborate dinners.
The Catholic Chapel (2020) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
Chapel
In 1679 following a mutiny during a period of Danish occupancy, the Fort was sold to the Portuguese. Their four-year period of ownership and occupation (1679-1683), is evidenced by the change of name of the castle to “Sāo Francis Xavier” and the construction of a Catholic chapel.
Chapel Pews (2020) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
The 'Mulato School'
After the Christiansborg castle reverted to the Danes, the chapel housed the 'Mulatto School' created especially for the purpose of educating the offspring of Danish officers born to African mothers. The chapel was last used as a place of worship by Ghana’s late former president, John Atta Mills.
The Queen's Room (2020) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
Queen Elizabeth slept here
The Queen’s Room located on the east-side of the second floor dates to the 20th Century. This is where Queen Elizabeth II slept when she visited Ghana in 1961 as a guest of President Kwame Nkrumah. The room has been preserved with the same wooden bed, lamps, bedside tables, and wardrobe.
Former Office of Jerry John Rawlings (1925) by HACSA FoundationHeritage and Cultural Society of Africa Foundation
Office of President Jerry John Rawlings
A room on the top floor of the northwestern section of the Castle, was built by the British Governor Sir Gordon Guggisberg in 1925. It was used by Ghana's late President Rawlings during his tenure as military Head of State followed by civilian President of the 4th Republic, from 1981-2001. The office has a window facing the entrance, giving its occupant a view of anyone entering or leaving the Castle.
Learn more about the Castle's role in Ghana's history...
Mission 21, Basel Mission Archives
