Walking Through the History of St. Thomas

Though St. Thomas is known as one of the best shopping destinations in the Caribbean, the island is also home to a wealth of historical intrigue. Within a concentrated area of St. Thomas' capital city, Charlotte Amalie, visitors will find everything from ornate churches and government buildings to colonial forts and mythical pirate outposts. If you want to experience St. Thomas' fascinating history, there is no better way to see the sights than a walk through Charlotte Amalie amongst the beautiful Caribbean weather.

The best place to start a walking tour of Charlotte Amalie's historic sites is Fort Christian, a Danish-built structure dating to the late 17th century. Visible throughout Charlotte Amalie, this vivid red-brick fort is in fact the oldest remaining structure in the Virgin Islands. Having served as a government center and a church after the colonial period, Fort Christian is now a National Historic Landmark and history museum. After visiting the museum, be sure to visit the roof of Fort Christian for an excellent panoramic view of the harbor.

Directly across the street from Fort Christian, you will see the historic Legislature Building, a beautifully rebuilt colonial structure. After serving as barracks for Danish police and later for U.S. Marines, the Legislature Building was completed restored in 1956 and has served as home to local lawmakers since 1970.

From the courtyard of the Legislature Building, turn left and follow the sidewalk to the first traffic light. At the traffic light, turn right and look for the Vendor's Plaza on your left. Above this outdoor market, you will find Emancipation Park, the site of many official ceremonies and the Virgin Islands' replica of the Liberty Bell.

Directly across the street from Emancipation Park is the Grand Hotel, a 19th century structure that now houses a number of small shops and restaurants. After perusing the unique businesses inside the Grand Hotel, walk towards Fort Christian and turn left up the first narrow road.

At the top of the narrow path, you will come upon one of St. Thomas' most significant churches, the golden Lutheran Church. Known for its large staircase and bright yellow color, the church is one of the most photographed buildings in St. Thomas. Once the official church of the Danish West Indies, the Lutheran Church is still used for services today.

Turning right after leaving the Lutheran Church, you will walk past Post Office Square and a trio of statues. As you continue up Government Hill, you will come upon a street known as Kongens Gade, site of the 99 Steps. Constructed in the mid-18th century, these steps represent the Danes' attempt at city planning near the hilly shores of St. Thomas.

If you choose to follow the street rather than climbing the staircase, you will find the historic Government House - a building known for its collection of paintings by Camille Pissaro - on your immediate left. However, if you climb the 99 Steps, you will find yourself on the easiest route to Blackbeard's Castle, one of St. Thomas' most popular sights. Blackbeard's Castle is actually a large watch tower that once belonged to the Danish Fort Trygborg. As Blackbeard's Castle rests atop Government Hill, the structure provides an excellent view of the harbor. Though it is not known when the watch tower came to be known as Blackbeard's Castle, local legend has it that the famous pirate used the watch tower to patrol for rival ships.

The land surrounding Blackbeard's Castle is home to several town house museums, including Villa Notman and The Haagensen House. In each case, these musuems house everything from antiques to valuable Danish furniture. After leaving the area of Blackbeard's Castle, return to the area of Post Office Square and Main Street. After turning right onto Main Street, look on the right for a small street called Nye Gade.

One block up from Main Street at the corner of Crystal Gade and Nye Gade, you will find the pictuesque St. Thomas Reformed Church. Known as the island's finest example of classical revival architecture, the St. Thomas Reformed Church resembles a Roman temple, complete with large supporting columns.

Turning left onto Crystal Gade, you will quickly come upon the St. Thomas Synagogue, the second-oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. Having served an incredibly significant spiritual role during the colonial period, the St. Thomas Synagogue is still used today under Sephardic tradition. As a result, the St. Thomas Synagogue features the traditional sand-covered floor, a symbol of the Jewish flight from Egypt.

Returning to Main Street along the same route, you will be in the heart of St. Thomas' shopping district. Turning right at Main Street and following the road to the end of the shopping district, you will come upon Market Square, a former slave market that now serves as an open-air produce and craft market.

One block further up Main Street, you will find St. Thomas' primary Catholic church, Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral. Constructed in 1806, the cathedral is known for its ornate murals painted by Belgian artists, Father Leo Servais and Brother Ildephonsus.

While history probably won't be the first thing on your mind while in St. Thomas, the island features a wealth of important sites within a very walkable area. After enjoying the beach and the relaxing amenities of your resort, this simple walking tour of Charlotte Amalie offers a great way to spend a sunny afternoon.