The Top 12 Historical Sites on St. Kitts:
1. Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park
* Nickname: The Gibraltar of the West Indies
It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 the ceremony was held in 2000.
Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of historical, cultural and architectural significance. Over the course of 100 years, it became an almost natural outgrowth of the 800-foot hill from which it emerged; a monument to the ingenuity of the British military engineers who designed it and to the skill, strength and endurance of the African slaves who built and maintained it. The steep slopes of Brimstone Hill had to be tamed by the disciplines of engineering and architecture, and at the risk and probable loss of human lives. The walls of the structures are predominantly of stone, laboriously and skillfully fashioned from the hard volcanic rock of which the hill is composed. The mortar to cement the stones was produced on site from the limestone that covers much of the middle and lower slopes. Begun in the 1690s, the Fortress finally took shape as a complete military community in the 1790s, and as such is it is a veritable time capsule of international significance. What’s more, the prominent Citadel is one of the earliest and finest surviving examples of a new style of fortification known as the polygonal system.
2. Wingfield Estate and Romney Manor
Wingfield Estate in Old Road, St. Kitts
Located above the town of Old Road, the St Kitts attraction known as Wingfield Estate was established in 1625. Its first owner was Samuel Jefferson, the great great grandfather of Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States of America. During the latter part of the 17th century, Mr. Jefferson sold a portion of Wingfield Estate to the Earl of Romney. The Great House at the estate was renamed Romney Manor by the Earl of Romney after he acquired it from Mr. Jefferson. The property remained with the Romney family for over 200 years.
The estate was first established to produce tobacco. Cotton and indigo were also grown during the early years at Wingfield Estate. The estate switched to sugar and rum production in the middle of the 17th century, and this continued until about 1924. A variety of methods was used to crush sugar cane to extract the juice. These methods included animal power during the 17th century, water power during the 18th century, the steam engine during the 19th century and the modern combustion engine during the 20th century.
Romney Manor in Old Road, St. Kitts
Today, Romney Manor is home to Caribelle Batik, a local batik making facility and about 12 acres of immaculately maintained botanical gardens. Since the fall of 2010, Wingfield Estate has been offering orientation and interpretive tours about the estate’s contribution to the history of St Kitts particularly in the areas of sugar and rum production. Wingfield Estate and Romney Manor are two St Kitts attractions that offer a variety of photo opportunities, so when visiting be sure to bring your camera along. Stops at these popular St Kitts attractions are included in most scenic half island and full island tours of St. Kitts.
3. Independence Square
Originally called Pall Mall Square, it was renamed when St. Kitts and Nevis achieved political independence on September 19th, 1983. The Government first acquired Pall Mall Square in 1750 and it rapidly became the administrative, commercial and social center of Basseterre. Independence Square is located slightly to the east of the present center of Basseterre. Built on lands bought for that purpose in 1750’s, its layout was designed to look like a Union Jack (check Google Earth to see this) and the streets and houses surrounding it were dated to that time period. In 1857 a stone fountain was built in the centre of the square. The pipe borne water in it came from Olivees Mountain. At the summit of the fountain there are three Grecian styled semi clothed ladies and a small male child who carries a fish. One lady has a conch shell and there is a turtle at their feet. Surrounding the circumference of the fountain are lovely flowering plants. The fountain, like many of the buildings surrounding the square has endured its own share of damage, but thanks to the efforts of many civic minded and heritage conscious individuals, businesses and NGOs, the damage to the fountain has been repaired.
4. Bloody Point
Joining forces with Caribs, Chief Tegreman prepared to attack the European settlements. Meanwhile, despite growing animosity between the French and the British, the 2 communities put aside their differences in order to mount a combined attack on the Carib, killing over 2,000. One of the few places where French and British soldiers joined forces to defend against a massive Carib attack. Legend says the rivers ran red for three days in 1626
5. National Museum
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE OLD TREASURY BUILDING The present building was completed in 1894, replacing a wooden structure which also had an archway through which people arriving and leaving the island would pass leading to the building being referred to as ‘The Gateway to Basseterre’.
This building has served several generations of public servants as almost every department of Government has at one time been located in it.Inappropriate maintenance and a series of hurricanes between 1989 and 1999 left the building in a terrible state of disrepair. In 1999 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Government and the St. Christopher Heritage Society which would lead to efforts of restoration and its conversion to a National Museum. The old Treasury Building, now the National Museum, remains one of the largest public buildings in the town of Basseterre.
In 2002, the National Museum opened its doors for the first time in the east wing of the ground floor of the partially restored building. By 2005, restoration of the building had advanced enough to allow the exhibitions to be expand and move to the first floor occupying the three central rooms leaving the vacant ground floor room for a Gift Shop. By 2006 another room had been sufficiently restored to open a Museum Office. In 2008, there was a rearrangement and expansion of displays and a special exhibition commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Independence was mounted.
The establishment of a National Museum has great significance in the development of a Nation, especially in a newly independent country that is trying to forge an identity and foster national awareness and pride among its citizens.
This memorial to the former president of the General Legislative Council, Thomas Berkeley, stands at the center of the Circus.
The memorial which was built in Glasgow has seen Basseterre change over the years and itself has undergone changes. Once a rich forest green, it was recently painted an earthy brown! It was surrounded by majestic royal palms which were planted around the circumference of the Circus around the time when it was first laid out. Over time these palms were destroyed and are now in the process of being replanted.
The clock was erected in 1883 in honour of Thomas Berkeley Hardtman Berkeley a past legislator and estate owner of Fountain, Greenland, Greenhill, Ottley’s, Shadwell and Stone Fort. It was dedicated by Lord Combermere, Wellington Henry Stapleton-Cotton.
The memorial celebrated its 100th birthday the same year that St. Kitts gained its Independence.
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7. Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral
Catholicism in St Kitts has an interesting history. In 1713, the English forbade public worship of the Catholic religion in St Kitts, however this did not deter the Catholics from worshipping in private. Wealthy Catholic families in St Kitts erected cupolas on the tops of their houses as a sign for all to come and worship. Today, only two such buildings remain in Basseterre, both on Liverpool Row the street to the west of the Berkeley Memorial. The repealing of the laws discriminating against Roman Catholics in 1829 cleared the way for the construction of public places of worship for Roman Catholics in St Kitts. One such location was on East Pall Mall Square, now East Independence Square, the present location of the St Kitts heritage site known as the Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral.
The original Catholic Church was built around 1856. Around 1863, the lands to the north and south of the Church were acquired and were later used to construct the Catholic School and the Presbytery on. In 1927 the original church building was demolished and later replaced by the modern edifice which was designed by the noted Father Claeys and is in Romanesque-revival style. Construction work on this new, ornate Church commenced on March 17, 1927 - St. Patrick’s Day - and the Memorial stone was solemnly blessed on April 22nd. The building is constructed out of grey stone. The two towers facing east and parallel north/south were originally parallel west/east when the building was wooden. The new construction was dedicated on December 6, 1928. The Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral celebrated it's 150th Anniversary on December 6, 2008.
Joining forces with Caribs, Chief Tegremare prepared to attack the European settlements. Meanwhile, despite growing animosity between the French and the British, the 2 communities put aside their differences in order to mount a combined attack on the Carib, killing over 2,000. One of the few places where French and British soldiers joined forces to defend against a massive Carib attack. Legend says the rivers ran red for three days in 1626
As you approach the entrance to the Wingfield Manor Estate, you will find fascinating Carib Petroglyphs. These drawings show two of the original carvings drawn by the Caribs, perhaps depicting images of their Zemi or gods.
This site is located on the outskirts the village of Challengers on the Leeward side of the island. Situated along 200 metres on both sides of the ravine of the Pelham or Stone Fort River, some 115 cliff drawings (petroglyphs) have been identified at this site. Most of the drawings are no more than 12 inches (30cm) in height. The drawings appear on the vertical wall of a deep ravine through which the river runs.
For most of the year the site is accessible by foot but during rainy season it may be dangerous as sudden flash flooding can occur when rain is falling in the nearby mountains.
It is thought that the site dates from the Saladoid period and is the first recorded Amerindian site established on the Leeward coast at a time when habitation was mainly on the Windward coast. The site was evidently of great significance to the native inhabitants. It is believed that the massacre of the Amerindians in 1626 by the English and French colonists took place in this ravine. There is great concern for the preservation of the site as there is no management system in place and the drawings are being interfered with.
10. St Thomas's Anglican Church with Sir Thomas Warner's Tomb
St. Thomas’ Anglican Church
The St. Thomas’ Anglican Church located in Middle Island, St. Kitts is one of the earliest churches (Church of England) on St. Kitts. This St Kitts attraction holds the earliest records for baptism, marriages and deaths in St. Kitts. It is also thought to be the first Anglican Parish Church in the West Indies.
St. Thomas' Anglican Church in Middle Island, St. Kitts
Sir Thomas Warner is said to be the first European to land on St. Kitts. He arrived on January 28, 1623 and founded the first English settlement, and was the first English governor of St. Kitts. In the early part of 1625, Sir Thomas Warner recruited a priest, Rev. John Featley (some records show the name Rev. Tetley) who served as rector at the St. Thomas’ Anglican Church from 1625 to 1634.
The original church is believed to have been built between 1625 and 1630. It was destroyed by hurricanes and earthquakes over the years. The present church was rebuilt in 1860.
The death of Sir Thomas Warner on 10th March 1648 is recorded by the fact that his tomb is situated in the church yard of St. Thomas’, the Apostle, in Middle Island, the parish in which he landed. Next to his tomb is that of his friend Samuel Jefferson, ancestor to the third president of the United States of America, Thomas Jefferson
11. Black Rocks
Hardened lava formations at the base of coastal cliffs.
The St Kitts attraction known as Black Rocks is the natural result of the hot lava from a volcanic eruption combined with cold sea water causing this picturesque phenomena. The rocks form a plateau of cliff approximately 100 feet above sea level near Belle Vue Estate on the north east coast of St. Kitts. The site affords views of St. Eustatius, St. Martin and St. Bartholomew.
The texture of the rocks is rough, spiky and sharp and waves from the Atlantic Ocean crash against them creating amazing photo opportunities.
Erosion over time has caused the coastline where people may stand to view the scene to recede making this site an endangered one. Previously the site was used as a popular picnic area. Recently several small buildings were erected to provide accommodation for hospitality businesses from the community to allow them to provide products and services to the tourists and locals who visit the area.
It was here at Old Road Bay that Sir Thomas
Warner, along with his family and 14 others began the first permanent European
settlement in the Leeward Islands. The settlers were at first on good terms
with the island's Carib inhabitants, though such friendship lasted only a very
few years. Rather than cultivating sugar, it was tobacco that had drawn Warner
to the island, and it was the island's tobacco crop that first supported the
settlement. The Warner family estate served as the capital of St. Kitts until 1727,
when it was moved to Basseterre. Outside of Old Road bay are found a number of
interesting Carib petroglyphs.
Sources:
http://www.historicbasseterre.com
http://www.discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches.com/st-kitts-attractions.html
http://www.stkittsheritage.com/
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