Fort Komenda stands in partial ruin today, its remains overlooking the Atlantic like a silent witness to centuries of trade, violence, and diplomacy. Though less known than the larger castles, its history is rich with the struggles of empire, African agency, and the deep scars of the transatlantic slave trade.
Visitors walk its grounds not just to see old stone — but to understand the forces that shaped modern Ghana, and to remember the lives altered forever by the ambitions of those who built it.
That usually refers to the British fort. But people often confuse it with the Dutch fort (Vredenburgh), especially since both were in Komenda and involved in similar activities.
If you’re looking at old maps, colonial records, or tourism information, just be aware of the names:
Fort Komenda = British
Fort Vredenburgh = Dutch
More about the Dutch Fort Vedenburg, to read HERE
Built: Originally a Portuguese lodge in 1555, expanded by the Swedes in 1653, then taken by the British in 1664
Used by: British
Purpose: Major slave-trading post; British colonial headquarters until Accra took over
Status: UNESCO World Heritage Site
Built: 1820, on the site of an older fort known as Fort Conraadsburg
Used by: British
Purpose: Lighthouse and watchtower, later also for defense
Status: Well-preserved; still a prominent part of Cape Coast
Built: 1821
Used by: British
Purpose: Defensive fortification against inland attacks
Status: Small but intact; used historically for lookout and defense
Built: British fort built in 1695, later taken and expanded by the Dutch
Used by: British → Dutch
Purpose: Trade and slave exportation; part of European coastal rivalry
Status: Ruins, with visible fortifications and cannon positions
Built: 1482 by the Portuguese (first European structure in Sub-Saharan Africa)
Taken by: Dutch in 1637, British in 1872
Used by: Portuguese → Dutch → British
Purpose: Trade, military base, major slave-trading hub
Status: UNESCO World Heritage Site
Built: 1665 by the Dutch, on the hill opposite Elmina Castle
Used by: Dutch
Purpose: Military fortification; to defend against inland and European threats
Status: Still standing; now used for tourism and events
Built: 1682 by the Dutch
Used by: Dutch
Purpose: To counter British presence at Komenda; protected Dutch trade routes
Status: Ruins; located near the beach, with visible bastions
Built: 1631 by the English (originally Fort Cormantin), taken by Dutch in 1665
Used by: English → Dutch
Purpose: Trade and slave depot
Status: Restored and accessible to visitors
| Fort / Castle | Built | Colonial Power | Current Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Victoria | 1821 | British | Cape Coast |
| Fort William | 1820 | British | Cape Coast |
| Cape Coast Castle | 1555–1664 | Portuguese → British | Cape Coast |
| Fort Komenda | 1695 | British → Dutch | Komenda |
| Elmina Castle | 1482 | Portuguese → Dutch | Elmina |
| Fort Coenraadsburg | 1665 | Dutch | Elmina (on hill) |
| Fort Vredenburgh | 1682 | Dutch | Near Kromantsia |
| Fort Amsterdam | 1631 | British → Dutch | Abandze (east of Komenda) |