Fort Orange, Ghana
UNESCO World Heritage Site
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fort Orange (Dutch: Fort Oranje) is a fort located in Sekondi, Western Region, Ghana. Built by the Dutch in 1642, it was originally established as a trading lodge. The site was enlarged into a full fort in 1690 to support the growing European trade and to provide protection against local conflicts and rival European powers.[1][2]
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| Fort Orange | |
|---|---|
Fort Oranje | |
| Sekondi, Western Region, Ghana in Ghana | |
| |
| Site information | |
| Type | Coastal fort |
| Owner | Ghana Museums & Monuments Board |
| Controlled by | Netherlands (1642–1872) |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Preserved / repurposed |
| Location | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 4.9357°N 1.7073°W |
| Height | Approx. 12 m |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1642 |
| Built by | Dutch West India Company |
| In use | 1642–1872 |
| Materials | Stone, brick |
| Battles/wars | Attacked by Ahantas (1694), captured by Britain (1872) |
| Events | Served as trading post and fort during Dutch Gold Coast period |
| Garrison information | |
| Current commander | N/A |
| Garrison | Dutch West India Company |
| Occupants | Netherlands (1642–1872) |
| Part of | Forts and Castles, Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions |
| Criteria | Cultural: (vi) |
| Reference | 34-008 |
| Inscription | 1979 (3rd Session) |
It is situated adjacent to the English-built Fort Sekondi, which was constructed in 1682. The fort was transferred to British control in 1872 along with the rest of the Dutch Gold Coast holdings, following the Anglo-Dutch treaty of that year.[3]
History
Fort Orange was first constructed as a lodge in 1642 by the Dutch West India Company to facilitate trade along the Gold Coast. During the 1670s, it operated as a trading post before being expanded into a fort in 1690. In September 1694, the fort was attacked by the Ahantas, which prompted reinforcement and remodeling of the structure to a full-fledged fortification by 1704.[4]
Current situation
Fort Orange used to serve as a lookout post but currently serves as a naval base for the Ghana Ports and Harbor Authority.[5]
Significance
Fort Orange is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site listing for the Forts and Castles of Ghana[6]