Historic Bridgetown
Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, an outstanding example of British colonial architecture consisting of a well-preserved old town built in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, which testifies to the spread of Great Britain's Atlantic colonial empire. The property also includes a nearby military garrison which consists of numerous historic buildings. With its serpentine urban lay-out the property testifies to a different approach to colonial town-planning compared to the Spanish and Dutch colonial cities of the region which were built along a grid plan.
On 25 June 2011, Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison were added as a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.
This page is still under construction.
Join a guided walking tour of Historic Bridgetown and see Barbados’ first prison, St. Mary’s Church, The Screw Dock, Nelsons Statue, The Nidhe Isreal Synogogue, The Swing Bridge, Heroes Square, Queens Park and lots more.
The tour includes pickup and drop back to hotel or cruise ship, water, soft drinks and lunch at the Jolly Roger Tavern in town on the waters edge.
Pick-up from your hotel between 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Pick-up from your hotel between 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Tour starts between 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Lunch is served at the Jolly Roger Tavern at 12 noon.
Return transfers to your hotel at 3:30 p.m.
Rate:
Adult: US $ 42.50
Guided Walking Tour of Historic Bridgetown
The Nidhe Israel Synagogue
Built in the 17th century (1654) the building was destroyed by hurricane in 1831, was rebuilt, fell into disrepair and was sold in 1929.
In 1983, it was bought back by the Jewish community and was restored to its present state with its beautiful Gothic arches, and is now a Barbados National Trust protected building and an active synagogue. Located next to the synagogue is the Nidhe Isreal Museum.
Days of Operation: Monday to Friday, Weekend visits on request.
Opening Time: 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Admission:
Adults: US $12.50
Children 5 - 12 Yrs: US $6.00
Children Under 5Yrs: Free
Barbados Museum of Parliment
With over 350 years of which we can boast, surpassed only by Bermuda and Britain, these buildings hold the history of the Barbadian system of Government which is the third oldest political system within the Commonwealth.
Completed in 1874, a masterpiece of Gothic Architecture, built of local coral limestone, strategically placed in the heart of our Capital, Bridgetown, these buildings house the House of Assembly and the Senate. The clock and bells were located to their present position in the West Wing during late 1885 into early 1886. The stained glass windows in the House of Assembly in the East Wing, which depicts British Sovereigns from James I to Queen Victoria (and include Oliver Cromwell).
The Barbados National Heroes Gallery traces the lives and immense contributions made by the ten National Heroes of Barbados. The museum takes the form of interactive screens, sculptures and murals.
Photography & Video: Visitors are asked not to take any kind of photographs in the galleries. Copyright issues and other regulations prevent us from being able to grant permission.
Food & Beverages: Food, beverages and chewing gum are not allowed in the galleries.
Care of Artwork: Special care must be taken to preserve the artwork and maintain the presentation of each exhibition. Visitors are not allowed to touch the artwork or display cases, stand or sit on platforms, or get too close to the art. As you move throughout the galleries please be careful not to damage walls or platforms with strollers, wheelchairs and walkers.
Cell Phones: In the interest of maintaining a pleasant environment for all of our guests, visitors are asked to place cell phones on silent mode or turn them off while in the galleries. If an important phone call is received, please leave the galleries to have your conversation.
Shirt and Shoes: Visitors are required to wear a shirt and shoes at all times while in the building. No beachwear is allowed.
Days of Operation: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Opening Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Admission:
Adults: US $
Children 5 - 12 Yrs: US $
National Heroes Square, Fountain Gardens & The Cenotaph
National Heroes Square (formerly Trafalgar Square) lies along Upper Broad Street and is on the northern shore of the Careenage (Constitution River), found directly in the centre of Bridgetown. The current name of National Heroes Square was adopted on 22 April 1999 and officially took effect on from 28th April, 1999.
A statue of Lord Horatio Nelson which was erected in 1813, 36 years before Nelson's column was put up in London. Barbadians relished the fact that Nelson sailed to this island in 1805 only months before he was killed at Trafalgar off the coast of Spain.
The obelisk-shaped cenotaph war memorial of grey granite and coral stone was erected in 1925 by the The Legislature of Barbados in memory of those Barbadians who lost their lives in World War 1. (1914 - 1918); the names of Barbadians who lost their lives in World War II (1939 - 1945) were added in 1953.
Fountain Gardens located in National Heroes Square commemorates the first piped water to the city in 1861, it was erected in 1865 some four years later. It features dolphins on clam shells and was paid for by public donations.
Broad Street
Broad Street, in the centre of the city, is the main shopping and cmmmercial centre of the island. here can be found major banks, malls, restaurants and duty free shops offering jewelry shops, perfumes and cosmetics, wines and liqueurs can all be found here.
The street stretches from the Parliment Building to the Barbados Insurance Society Building, better known as 'The Mutual Building'. This imposing structure was built 1894-95 and with its silver domed topped towers, it dominates the western end of Broad Street.
The Montefiore Fountain & The Public Libary
Located on Coleridge Street, the Montefiore Fountain, is a drinking fountain given to the city by Jewish businessman John Montefiore in 1865 in his father's memory. However, it was originally on Broad Street and only moved to its present position opposite the Barbados Public Library and near the synagogue in 1940.
Opposite the fountain is The Barbados Public Library was established in the 1840s and housed at the beginning of the twentieth century in the West Wing of the Parliament Buildings of Barbados. Mr. Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish-American philanthropist renowned for his gifts of free libraries to towns in England donated the sum of 4,800 pounds towards the building of a Free Public Libary following an appeal made by the Govenor of the island. The first stone was laid on 7th June 1904 and the Library was officially opened by the Governor Sir. Gilbert Carter on 26th January 1906. Unfortunately the building is in need of repairs and has been deemed as a 'sick building', the Public Library has been relocated to the Old Modern Living Building in Independence Square.
The Catherdral of St. Michaels and All Angels
Located on the eastern side of Bridgetown is the Cathedral of St. Michael and All Angels, first built in 1628 on the site that is not occupied by St. Mary's Church on the other side of the city. The original building was of wood and rotted quickly, the church was rebuilt, also in wood, in 1641 at the present site, however by 1665 with the growth of the population the building was inadequate to serve the congregations needs. That structure was destroyed by the hurricane of 1780.
In 1784 through a controversial lottery, 10,000 pounds was raised for the construction of the present church. This grand building with a seating capacity of 3,000 was dedicated in 1789 on the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, from which it got its name.
The buidling features a beautiful barrel vaulted ceiling and the arched ceiling along with striking examples of stained glass windows.
Queen's Park
The Chamberlain Bridge
The Careenage
The Screw Dock
St. Mary's Church
Swan Street