The Ouidah History Museum is a museum in Benin located in the city of Ouidah, in the Atlantic department. It is located in the old Portuguese fort São Jão Batista de Ajuda built in 1721 which was once the place of transit of African slaves, the fortress of Ouidah is now converted into a museum where the history of Dahomey, Vodoun traditions and slavery is recounted.
The Portuguese fort São-Jão-Batista-de-Ajuda was a fortified trading post until 1816 and then became a Catholic mission until 1893. It was then used as the seat of the Portuguese state representation. In 1961, to celebrate the country's independence, the government of Dahomey annexed the Portuguese enclave. Before leaving, the occupants set fire to the buildings.
By decree of November 13, 1964, the fort was classified as a historical monument. It was restored with the financial help of France and the United States with the advice and resources of the Portuguese Calouste-Gulbenkian Foundation. A museum on the history of Ouidah was built there and opened on September 6, 19673. It houses 700 exhibits dealing with archaeology, history and the arts in Ouidah.
