Stories and facts

Fort Frederiksborg, which was later renamed Fort Royal, was a fortification located on the Gold Coast, present-day Ghana.

Constructed in 1661 with the approval of the King of Fetu, it was situated a few hundred yards from Cape Coast Castle, which was then under Swedish control, on Amanfro Hill.

In 1979, Fort Frederiksborg, along with several other nearby forts and castles, was designated a World Heritage Site.

This recognition was awarded in acknowledgment of the fort's historical significance in illustrating European economic influence in West Africa and its role in the Atlantic slave trade.

Initially, Fort Frederiksborg was a modest structure, positioned in a strategic location that allowed it to bombard Cape Coast Castle easily.

It briefly served as the headquarters of the Danish West India Company on the Danish Gold Coast before the headquarters were relocated to Christiansborg Castle in Osu.

By 1665, the English Royal African Company had taken control of Cape Coast Castle and fortified it to serve as their new headquarters, rendering the Danish fort largely redundant.

Consequently, the fort was initially pawned to the English in 1679 and was sold to them outright in 1685.

The English reconstructed the fort in 1699, renaming it Fort Royal. Despite these efforts, the fort was soon abandoned once more, marking the end of its operational significance.

Explore the list of Forts in Ghana below.