Capture of Carolusborg (1658)

The Capture of Carolusborg in 1658 refers to the Danish capture of the Swedish fort of Carolusborg (also known as Carlsborg or Cabo Corso) on the Gold Coast (modern Ghana) from Sweden. This event occurred during the Dano-Swedish War (1658-1660), a part of the larger Second Northern War.

Sweden had established a presence on the Gold Coast in the mid-17th century, engaging in trade, primarily in gold and slaves. Carolusborg served as their main trading post and fort in the region. Denmark, seeking to expand its own colonial influence and to weaken Swedish power, targeted Swedish possessions in Africa.

The Danish forces, led by figures like Samuel Schmidt, successfully seized Carolusborg in April 1658. The Swedish governor, Tönnes Voss, surrendered the fort. This capture marked a significant blow to Swedish colonial ambitions on the Gold Coast and strengthened Danish control. The fort was subsequently renamed Christiansborg by the Danes.

Danish control of Christiansborg and the surrounding area would persist for several centuries, with brief interruptions, until the 19th century when it was sold to the British. The capture of Carolusborg in 1658 played a crucial role in establishing Danish dominance on the Gold Coast and shaping the future colonial landscape of the region. The fort itself remains a significant historical landmark and tourist attraction in present-day Ghana, known as Osu Castle.