Ghana: Elmina – Fort Coenraadsburg
This fort was built by the Dutch in 1642 to protect the nearby Elmina Castle from land attacks. The fort sits on the highest point with the entire town of Elmina below it with beautiful panoramic views out to see and onto thousands of colorful fishing boats. Unlike Elmina Castle, this fort is much less maintained and some locals have occupied several rooms of the ground floor for their living quarters. Strangely, almost no tourists come here and you can have the entire massive fort all to yourself. Quality Dutch construction has survived nearly four centuries in nearly pristine condition (which is not the case for houses and structures in the village of Elmina itself).
