The Castles: Cape Coast and Elmina


Cape Coast Castle

Visiting Cape Coast and Elmina Castles was a very interesting experience, encompassing a whole gamut of emotions.  Both are beautiful castles, with beautiful views of the ocean. 

Dungeons at Cape Coast Castle
The emotional part comes in the dungeons, when you let your mind take over and imagine what the thousands of people experienced as they waited in the dark damp dungeons, living in their own excrement, without food or water.  Sadness takes over; this was their reality, with no idea of what was to happen, or when things would happen.

The "Door of No Return" at Cape Coast Castle
The "Door of No Return"
at Elmina Castle
A sense of relief occurred as we left the male and female slave dungeons and went to the “Door of No Return”.  We were exposed to sunlight, and a beautiful view of the ocean.   It’s difficult to imagine that from here this door, the slaves were packed tightly onto ships to go to other places. 

Exploring the castles was fun, as there were beautiful room and views throughout.  At the same time, it is eerie to think that while people lived above in wealth, the slaves lived below in squalor.