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Portugal Founds Elmina Castle
In 1482 King John II of Portugal sent Diogo de Azambuja to found the Castle of São Jorge da Mina (Elmina Castle) on the Gold Coast, one of the earlie…
Timeline
- 1481Lisbon · LisbonJohn II appointed Diogo de Azambuja to lead a fleet to the Mina coast, carrying stone, mortar, artillery, and craftsmen, to establish a permanent fortress at the gold-export site, replacing the earlier seasonal trading posts.
- 1482Edina · ElminaAzambuja landed on the coast of Edina and met with the local ruler Caramansa (Kwamena Ansa), securing permission to build a castle through gifts and promises of trade. Disputes arose during negotiations over land, water sources, and the relocation of residents, but the Portuguese obtained the conditions to begin construction.
- 1482Castle of São Jorge da Mina · ElminaUsing the prefabricated stone, the Portuguese quickly built a battery, warehouses, and the governor's residence, with Saint George as patron saint. Elmina became the first permanent European stone fortress on the West African coast, used to weigh gold, store goods, and deter rivals, inaugurating Portugal's chain of forts in the Gulf of Guinea.
Sources
- Elmina https://www.britannica.com/place/Elmina
- John II https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-II-king-of-Portugal
- A History of Portuguese Overseas Expansion, 1400–1668 — Malyn Newitt (2005)