Portugal's Lost African Gold: São Jorge da Mina

The History of Portugal: The Small Nation That Built a Global Empire — Fexingo History · Sep 13, 2026 · 8m · transcript

Before the spice routes of Asia dominated Portuguese strategy, the kingdom’s wealth flowed from a single fort on the Gold Coast of West Africa. This episode explores São Jorge da Mina, built in 1482 by Diogo de Azambuja, which became the engine of Portugal’s early economic rise. We trace how this modest stone outpost controlled the flow of gold dust to Europe, destabilizing Mediterranean markets and funding Prince Henry’s navigational experiments. The story covers the brutal realities of the slave trade that accompanied the gold, the complex diplomatic negotiations with local Akan rulers, and…