Tuesday, May 8, 2012

HISTORICAL SITES

The historical places of Ghana provide an in depth study into the culture and the lifestyle of the people of the country. Open to tourists all the year round, the historical places of Ghana are located in famous landmarks in and round the city.

The most important historical places of Ghana are:

  • Elmina Castle
  • Cape Coast Castle
  • Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum
  • Slave Market of Abonse
  • Larabanga Mosque



Elmina Castle was built in 1482. It was the first slave castle to be built along the west coast of Africa and also the first permanent structure south of the Sahara built by Europeans. Originally a military factory, it's the first trading post in the Gulf of Guinea built by the Portuguese. One of Ghanaian historical sites, Elmina Fort, or 'Fort São Jorge da Mina' as it is also referred, was elevated to the status of castle because it was the seat of authority for the Portuguese.



Cape Coast Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in existence today and also a famous Ghana's historical places. It was a fortification in Ghana, with the first timber construction coming up on 1653 for the Swedish Africa Company and later named Carolusborg after King Charles X of Sweden. This popular historical place of Ghana was built for the trade in timber and gold and afterwards used in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. At present the Cape Coast Castle Museum is now located here.


Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum holds the remains of the first President of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. The Museum was made in his honor after which his body was exhumed from his original burial grounds at his home town-Nkroful. One of Ghana's historical places, it's also quite famous even between tourists.




Larabanga Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in West Africa and one of the important historical places of Ghana. This rare structure of mud is renovated every year after every heavy rain due to the damage caused to its mud walls. A cost of up to $1,000 is funded by the government to keep up the work of the mosque. While exploring Ghana one must not miss visiting this Ghanaian historical place.

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