Fort St Jago sits on a rocky hill directly above Elmina Castle, commanding views over the town, the Benya lagoon, and the coastline in both directions. The Dutch built it in 1666, three decades after capturing Elmina, specifically as a defensive position to protect the castle below from the same kind of hilltop bombardment that had delivered it to them.
The fort was used as a garrison rather than a slave-trading facility, which distinguishes it from the castle below. The climb up the hill takes about ten minutes on a steep path from the town. The views from the top are excellent — you can see the full sweep of the harbour, the lagoon, the castle, and the bright colours of the fishing boats below. The fort itself is smaller than the castle and less visited, making it a quieter and more contemplative stop. Entrance is free or by small donation.