St Kitts Island Tour (Reconfirm Ship or Hotel)

Taking the St. Kitts Island is the best way to see St. Kitts. Your tour begins from the hotel or cruise port and continues into Basseterre the historic city. Marvel at the stone and wooden buildings dating back to the 1800's, their intricate decorative lattice work and why we have maintained the architecture of these structures. Some of these interesting buildings are, the Co Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception and the Anglican Church. Our famous Circus Clock Little Ben) is synonymous with our history as you drive around this circular area. Our next historical landmark is the Independence Square (formerly Pall Mall Square). The name was changed when St. Kitts attained independence from Britain 19th September 1983. This picturesque relaxing area is now a garden to stroll and have fun events. Like our neighbouring sister islands St. Kitts also sold slaves in the 1700 – 1800 and this venue is still available today known as “Independence Square formerly “Pall Mall Square”.

This enclosed area was the market for slaves to be sold. A few of the surrounding buildings especially those with stone foundation were the dungeons that held the slaves coming from the ships prior to auctioning. They were displayed in public and sold like livestock. The square was called Pall Mall Square, certainly a name from the British slave owners. Before then it was call "The Pasture". Charles Dickens wrote an article of this square in 1891, "A Famous West India Island" and "All the Year Round". Some of present buildings today still hold artifacts used to bind slaves whilst they waited to be sold. In a effort to declare Kittitians freedom from this dark era, Pall Mall Square was renamed, "Independence Square" . A very significant year when the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis was given its independence from Britian in 1983, 19th September. This allowed the Federation to charter its own course for its people. Independence Square is now a pleasant space to relax.

200 year old manor tree. Making of batik fabric Botanical garden Ex slave plantation

Our next stop will be at the Gibraltor of the West Indies, “Brimstone Hill” (a beautiful fortress. Now a UNESCO Heritage Site. A US$15 entrance fee (not included) is required towards the continued restoration of this magnificent fortress. Explore this majestic structure as you view, cannons, artifacts of the 18th century British soldiers uniforms, tools and much more. The visit will certainly enlighten you on the history whilst you marvel at this imposing architectural structure. This fort was the envy of a few countries hence, the British and French were constantly at war for this island. The then slaves were used to build the fortress and fortify the fort by mounting canons up to the hill. This enabled the British to recapture the fort. The limestone was converted into mortar, the volcanic rock into blocks. This allowed Brimstone Hill to become the most impressive fortress in the British West Indies.