| Elmina Castle (also St. George El Mina Castle; in Portuguese Castelo de São Jorge de Mina) was built in 1482 by the Portuguese as the first trading post in the Gulf of Guinea at present-day Elmina, Ghana.The construction was the result of an expedition commanded by the King Afonso V of Portugal and led by Diogo de Azambuja, who departed from Lisbon on December 12, 1481, with eleven ships and 700 men. Diogo de Azambuja remained as captain of the fort (controlling the area around it) until 1484. The main interest of the Portuguese was to gain control over the gold trade of Mina.With the rise of the Atlantic slave trade the fort gained importance as a depot where slaves were held captive before being transported to the New World.In 1637 the fort was taken over by the Dutch, who made it the capital (also called Fort Conraadsburg, Fort de Veer, Fort Java, Fort Scomarus, and Fort Naglas) of Dutch Guinea. In 1872 it was taken by the British.It is reported to be the oldest existent European building south of the Sahara. The present-day castle is a mixture of Portuguese and Dutch styles. The castle is recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Monument. Other Slave Castles include Cape Coast Castle and Castle Saint Jago. Dutch and Slavery Elmina Castle |  |