As we approached Brimstone Hill Fortress, it was easy to discern that we were in for a treat.
Looking overwhelming from the road, it was easy to comprehend why the fort had been a standard of excellence in it's day.
Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated on the island of St.
Kitts which is in the Federation of St.
Christopher(St.
Kitts) and Nevis, St.
Kitts sister island.
Located in the Eastern Caribbean and having been designed by British engineers and built and maintained by slaves, it has become one of the best preserved forts in the Americas.
Brimstone Hill Fortress acquired it's name because of the strong smell of sulpher that came from underwater vents nearby.
Brimstone Hill is actually an extension of cooled lava left as a result of volcanic eruptions in the past.
This hard rock foundation made it possible to erect such a massive structure as the fortress.
Beginning in 1690, construction of the fortress continued for over a hundred years.
Supplying defense for Fort Charles and Sandy Point, it was also a refuge fortress, supplying a needed safe house for influential citizens during times of war.
In 1782, the British soldiers numbering less than a thousand were surrounded by the French army of over,8000 soldiers and were forced to surrender after a month long siege.
However a year later, due to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, the fort was again in possession of the British.
The British then increased the fortifications and the "Gibraltar" of the West Indies never again fell victim to foreign invasion.
As with other fortresses in the Caribbean, after the mid 19th century, the fortress was abandoned as more lucrative projects in Africa and Asia became more desirable.
As a result the fortress fell into a state of decay caused by natural and human activity.
Fortunately, in the early 1900s, civic minded individuals began the process of restoring and stabilizing the area.
Much work had been done by the time Prince Charles of Wales Bastion reopened the fort in 1973.
Many important milestones were reached in the coming years.
In 1985, Queen Elizabeth presented a plaque signifying Brimstone Hill as a National Park, followed by legislation in 1987 making the designation official.
It gained more significance in 1999 when it was declared a World Heritage Site.
If visiting St.
Kitts, if it be for a week or only a day as a cruise passenger, put this on your "to do" list, it is well worth your time.
Oh, yeah, don't forget to try out a bottle of Shady Carob, a local lager beer spiced with ginger.
Delicious!
Looking overwhelming from the road, it was easy to comprehend why the fort had been a standard of excellence in it's day.
Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated on the island of St.
Kitts which is in the Federation of St.
Christopher(St.
Kitts) and Nevis, St.
Kitts sister island.
Located in the Eastern Caribbean and having been designed by British engineers and built and maintained by slaves, it has become one of the best preserved forts in the Americas.
Brimstone Hill Fortress acquired it's name because of the strong smell of sulpher that came from underwater vents nearby.
Brimstone Hill is actually an extension of cooled lava left as a result of volcanic eruptions in the past.
This hard rock foundation made it possible to erect such a massive structure as the fortress.
Beginning in 1690, construction of the fortress continued for over a hundred years.
Supplying defense for Fort Charles and Sandy Point, it was also a refuge fortress, supplying a needed safe house for influential citizens during times of war.
In 1782, the British soldiers numbering less than a thousand were surrounded by the French army of over,8000 soldiers and were forced to surrender after a month long siege.
However a year later, due to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, the fort was again in possession of the British.
The British then increased the fortifications and the "Gibraltar" of the West Indies never again fell victim to foreign invasion.
As with other fortresses in the Caribbean, after the mid 19th century, the fortress was abandoned as more lucrative projects in Africa and Asia became more desirable.
As a result the fortress fell into a state of decay caused by natural and human activity.
Fortunately, in the early 1900s, civic minded individuals began the process of restoring and stabilizing the area.
Much work had been done by the time Prince Charles of Wales Bastion reopened the fort in 1973.
Many important milestones were reached in the coming years.
In 1985, Queen Elizabeth presented a plaque signifying Brimstone Hill as a National Park, followed by legislation in 1987 making the designation official.
It gained more significance in 1999 when it was declared a World Heritage Site.
If visiting St.
Kitts, if it be for a week or only a day as a cruise passenger, put this on your "to do" list, it is well worth your time.
Oh, yeah, don't forget to try out a bottle of Shady Carob, a local lager beer spiced with ginger.
Delicious!