Ghana's Atlantic Coast is lined with old forts (castles) built by various European powers during the 17th Century. Initially, the forts were used to store goods for export, later the slave-trade turned many into prison dungeons. The Cape Coast Castle is the most impressive of Ghana's old forts. It was originally built by the Dutch in 1637, later expanded by the Swedes, finally the British took control of it in 1664 and turned it into their colonial headquarters. It stayed that way for the next 200 years until they moved the capital to Accra in 1877.
The Cape Coast Castle is now an excellent museum with information about the history of Ghana, the slave-trade and local culture. President Obama visited the castle on his tour of the country earlier this year. Find out more about Ghana's top attractions...
President Obama visiting the Cape Coast Castle, Ghana -- © Getty Images