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Antsy…
That’s me. I used to be the person who loved lying in the sun all day. Now, I still do, but I get these nagging thoughts that I should also being doing something a little more culturally stimulating.
While in St. Thomas, there were so many beaches and islands that we wanted to check out, but I knew that there were some interesting landmarks that I wanted to visit as well.
As we drove through Charlotte Amalie, after our arrival, we passed by Fort Christian. A lovely, dark red building, the fantastic clock tower caught my attention. I knew that we needed to come on another day to explore!
‘After a few rain showers blew through and the skies decided to remain cloudy, I persuaded my family that we should drive into town to see the fort…the fact that there is a souvenir market next door and the promise of some cool t-shirts cemented the deal.
Fort Christian, named for the Danish King Christian V, originated with Governor Jorgen Iversen, after his arrival on May 25, 1672. Four years later, the outer walls and a three story oval tower, Trygborg, had been completed. The fort served its purpose over the years, successfully defending St. Thomas from the French among others, however, it was demilitarized during the 1870s. Undergoing enlargement and repair, it later served as the police headquarters of the Virgin Islands, as well as a town center, a government building and a jail.
A basic square structure with stone curtain walls and diamond-shaped stone bastions at the corners, the Tyygborg tower and north curtain were eventually demolished as well as other parts of the fort. The current Gothic Revival structure, with its Victorian clock tower, which serves as an entrance, was eventually built to replace the north curtain in the 18th century. Today, the bastions and the rooftop can be accessed as well as the living quarters that were later added.
We enjoyed visiting the lower level which houses former cells, displays detailing the fort’s history, chapel and the living quarters. These areas are filled with antiques and gives an idea of the living standards at the time. We did not have a tour guide as we arrived just before three o’clock (last admitting time) however, having an escort would have been a benefit in learning more about the history of the structure and the role it played in protecting the island’s harbor.
Enjoy a visit to Fort Christian…take the time to make your way up top and look out toward the water, the cruise ships and the mountains….you might even spot the Governor’s house! The views are truly fantastic! And when you are done…grab an ice cream or snow-cone to beat the heat and maybe even a souvenir t-shirt!
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Fort Christian
- https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/prvi/pr29.htm
- Address: Forte Strade, Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas 00801, USVI
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 0830-1600. Last admittance, 1500.
- Admission: Non-local Adult, $!0, Children, ages 5-12, $7. Local (with ID), $5. Students (school-aged in uniform and/or with ID), $3. Children (4 years and under): free.