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| Fort Orange | |
|---|---|
| Part ofDutch Gold Coast | |
 Fort Orange (left) and Fort Sekondi (right) | |
| Location | |
  Fort Orange | |
| Coordinates | 4°56′09″N1°42′26″W / 4.9357°N 1.7073°W /4.9357; -1.7073 |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1642 (1642) |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Netherlands (1642-1872) |
| Part of | Forts and Castles, Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions |
| Criteria | Cultural: (vi) |
| Reference | 34-008 |
| Inscription | 1979 (3rdSession) |
Fort Orange (Dutch:Fort Oranje) was built as a trading post on theDutch Gold Coast in 1642, nearSekondi in the Western Region of Ghana. It functioned as a lodge for a while during the 1670s and that was the original purpose for the fort before it was used as a trading post.[1] The trading post was enlarged into a fort in 1690. It was joined by an EnglishFort Sekondi in 1682. It was sold with the rest of the Dutch Gold Coast to the United Kingdom in 1872, and now serves as alighthouse.[1] Because of its historical importance in trade between Europe and Africa, Fort Orange was inscribed on theUNESCOWorld Heritage List in 1979 along withseveral other castles and forts in Ghana.[2]
Fort Orange was first constructed by the Dutch to serve as a lodge in the 1670s. It suffered attacks prominent among which was one by theAhantas in September 1694. After these attacks, the fort was remodeled to become a fortress by 1704. Prior to this however, it served as a trading post.[3]
Fort Orange used to serve as a lookout post but currently serves as a naval base for the Ghana Ports and Harbor Authority.[4]