If you have never been to Antigua, you will find it a real pleasure. Not only does he have fabulous beaches, apparently 365, one for each day of the year, but he also has a very interesting story. There are many signs on the island, where you can find out how such a small island in the middle of the Caribbean has developed over the centuries, and in fact its rather significant influence on the history not only of the Caribbean, but also of the rest of the world. I have gathered some interesting facts that I hope will help you delve into this beautiful tropical island.
Nelson Shipyard in English Harbor
In 1889, Nelson’s shipyard was abandoned by the Royal Navy until 1961, when it was restored. Today you can visit a conglomerate of old stone warehouses, workshops and neighborhoods full of hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops and a museum. There are about ten restored buildings, along with destroyed forts and historical artifacts that still reflect its naval heritage. It retains its maritime charm with private yachts replacing ships in the harbor all year round. Thanks to its restoration, it is now the only Georgian shipyard in the world, and the English harbor is still a favorite port for those who make the long Atlantic crossing.
The English harbor, the graceful and evocative historic district of Antigua, is concentrated on fifteen square kilometers of Nelson Nockyard National Park. Founded as a base for the British fleet in the great age of sails, the harbor served as the headquarters of the fleet of the Leeward Islands in the turbulent years of the late 18th century.
Almost all the other attractions of the park look at the harbor. The closest of these is Clarence House, a residence built for the future King William IV (1765-1837), when he served under Nelson as captain of HMS Pegasus.
Clarence House
Clarence House can be found on a small hill overlooking the Nelson Shipyard. It was originally built by English bricklayers to serve as housing for Prince William Henry, later known as the Duke of Clarence. The future king remained at Clarence House when he commanded Pegasus in 1787. He is currently home to the governor of Antigua and Barbuda and is open to visitors when his excellency is not in the residence. The caretaker will show you a small tour in which you can see various pieces of furniture on credit from the National Fund. Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon stayed here on their honeymoon.
Shirley heights
This incoherent array of firing points and military buildings is known today for its completely breathtaking view that passes right above the English harbor. On Sundays, this amazing view is accompanied by a barbecue, rum, and free evening or evening reggae or steel concerts, popular with locals and visitors. The site is named after General Shirley, governor of the Leeward Islands, when the area was fortified at the end of the eighth century. Nearby is a cemetery in which there is an obelisk, erected in honor of the soldiers of the 54th Regiment.
Village overlooking the sea
Antiguan folk pottery dates from at least the early 18th century, when slaves made vessels for cooking from local clay. Today, folk ceramics is being created in a number of places around Antigua, but the center of this handicraft industry is the Village overlooking the sea. Clay is collected from pits located nearby, and the products are burned in an open fire under layers of green grass in the courtyards of potters. at home. Folk ceramics can be purchased at retail outlets in the village, as well as in several shops around the island. Buyers should be aware that antiguan folk ceramics breaks quite easily in cold conditions.
Harmony Hall Art Gallery
Harmony Hall in Brown Bay in Nonsus Bay is the center of the Antigua art community, exhibitions change over the years. The annual events, both of which took place in November, are a craft fair and an exhibition of Antigua artists. The hall of harmony is built around a tower of a sugar mill. The tower itself has been turned into a bar and provides its patrons with one of the best panoramic views of the island, including the excellent Nissun Bay vista.
St. John
Saint John, the capital and largest city of Antigua and Barbuda. It is dominated by the magnificently persuasive white Baroque towers of the Cathedral of St. John. The Cathedral of St. John, originally built in 1683, was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The figures of John the Baptist and St. John the Theologian were allegedly taken from one of Napoleon’s ships. Built in 1845, the church is now in the third generation, since earthquakes in 1683 and in 1745 destroyed the previous structures. For those visitors who come every day to Antigua by boat (about half of the visitors to the islands), their first look is the towers of St. Louis. Cathedral of St. John. The recently closed marina "St. Johanna and several hotels added to this already lively center for shopping and lunch.
For those interested in the early history of the island, there is the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, located in the colonial palace (1750). The museum features both Arawak and the colonial artifacts found at archaeological sites on the islands. It also contains a copy of the life of Aravak, models of sugar plantations and other exhibits.
Take advantage of the time-out either on Friday or Saturday morning and visit the vibrant farmers market on the southern outskirts of the city. In these markets, get ready to find folk crafts, colorful tropical fruits and a buzzing crowd, all you need to make it lively and interesting in the morning of Antigua.
Museum of Antigua and Barbuda
This delightful museum tells the story of Antigua and Barbuda from its geological birth to today. In a cool oasis in the middle of St. John’s, the museum contains many fascinating items and artifacts, ranging from the life-size replica of Aravac, which owns the bat of Viv Richards, one of the greatest crickets players of all time.
Betty sugar nozzle
In 1674, Sir Christopher Codrington received this estate by the English crown. Arriving from Barbados, convinced that sugar would be the most important harvest in the future, he called the estate after his daughter Betty, and his “hope” was that he made the right decision. The success of Nadezhda Betty, the first major sugar plantation in Antigua, led to the rapid development of large-scale sugar production on the island. Despite the fact that the only surviving structures are two stone sugar factories and remnants of the estate, the importance of the site in the history of Antiguans prompted the government to start developing it as an open-air museum. You will find about a hundred stone windmills dotted throughout the Antiguan landscape.
Like other large plantations, "Hope" Betty was both an agricultural and an industrial enterprise, which employs a large number of people. He was controlled by competent European managers. Hundreds and hundreds of Africans lived on plantations such as this, first as slaves, and then as workers after emancipation in 1834. Continuously fighting the difficulties of growing and processing sugar, in exhausting conditions, they developed great skills like artisans, boilers and distillers. This brave Betty hopes that her reputation for excellence will continue to this day.
Today Betty’s hope has been restored. Cane crushing equipment is in working condition with new wings and sails restored according to original specifications. The former cotton house graveyard has been transformed into a visitor center / museum. It includes various aspects of the history of plantations, showing early real estate plans, paintings and maps, artifacts and a model of the central site, giving an overview of "Hope Betty." You can also find other information, such as sugar and rum. Admission is $ 2 per person.
As you will see when you visit Nadezhda Betty, the two restored examples of these towers give a dramatic idea of how these mills should have dominated the island during the centuries when sugar production was the dominant industry.
Daily dam / reservoir
Surrounded by natural beauty, Potworks Dam occupies the largest artificial lake on Antigua. The dam contains about a billion gallons of water and provides protection to Antigua in case of emergency. This expansion of freshwater is considered the largest in the Eastern Caribbean. When it's full, it's a mile long and half a mile wide. The western edge is great for bird watching.
Indian city
In the northeastern part of Antigua is the remote wilderness known as the Indian urban point. At the moment, the reason for his name is unknown, and to date no archaeological heritage of India has been discovered on this peninsula. In 1950 this area was legally established as a national park. It is surrounded by numerous cobblestones, pulling surfing, absolutely amazing sight. One of the local legends says that if you throw two eggs in a hole, the devil will save one and throw the other away. The Indian city is an ecologically protected area located on the top of a deep bay, the Indian city of Creek. The park overlooks the Atlantic Ocean at Long Bay, west of Indian Town Creek on the east side of Antigua. A large grassy cape, around Devil's Bridge, great for a picnic.
Devil's Bridge
For centuries, the Atlantic ocean breakers pounced on the rocks and carved a natural bridge, known as the Devil's Bridge. This name comes from an old myth that predicts a multitude of mass suicides occurring among slaves in despair. At the very end they went there and rushed. The park has an incredible example of sea water erosion. Geologically, the Devil's Bridge is a natural arch, carved by the sea into the soft and hard limestone estuaries of Antigua - the geological separation of the flat northeast of Antigua. The Devil's Bridge was created on innumerable meters under the influence of the rough rifts of the Atlantic Ocean, which constantly descended on the limestone coastline and caused this erosion.
The answer is a 104 year old antiguan patriot, Sammy Smith. In a quote from his memoirs. To shoot a hard work & it says:
“On the east coast of the island, the Devil’s Bridge was so named because many slaves from neighboring estates use it and throw it overboard. The devil should be there. The waters around the Devil's Bridge are always rude, and anyone who falls on the bridge will never come out alive. ”
Devils Bridge is definitely worth a visit. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. In fact, you can easily see where they both meet, and watch these deep bulges and raging waters, which throughout the year continuously fell into the Devils Bridge.
Many people attend this spectacle, and some, those who are tired or really rather stupid, are actually trying to get across the bridge. This is not recommended. If you fall into the ocean, it will be almost impossible, as you can imagine, avoiding currents without serious injury. Of course, there are different stories about people who fell and never ran away. Although many of them may be fictional, it’s better to be safe rather than apologize!
The Devils Bridge area is basically a rock with surrounding greenery and a small bay in one direction. Usually a strong enough wind to keep you cool, but please keep in mind that this can make the power get lost. If you are patient, you can get amazing photos of waves waving against a bridge. This is definitely nature working on its magic, creating an incredibly breathtaking and beautiful landscape.
Fort james
Fort James was built in the first half of the 18th century. This picturesque bastion was intended to guard the harbor of St. John. Today the walls are still in excellent condition, and even some of the guns are not damaged yet. Nevertheless, the main attraction of Fort James today are incredible views that can be seen in the surrounding harbor. Nearby is the Heritage Quay, which consists of a hotel, four duty-free shops, restaurants and a casino, all of which are part of the newest development in the center of St. John's.
Dow Hill Interpretation Center
Dow & Hill’s Interpretation Center is located just 2 miles from the Shipyard. This center is unique in the Caribbean. He uses multimedia presentations covering six periods of island history, including the era of Indian hunters, the era of the British military, and the slavery struggle. The center is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00.
Fig Tree Driver
Fig Tree Drive is one of the most picturesque Antigua drives. The road meanders from the low central plain of the island to the ancient volcanic hills of St. Mary’s Parish in the southern quarter of the island. This not too smooth road passes through the territory of lush vegetation and rainforest and climbs to steep farmlands around Fig Hill (rice is what antiguanas are called bananas) before descending to the coast again. Along the way, you will pass bananas, mangoes and coconut groves, as well as a number of old sugar factories and nice little churches.
Green Castle Hill
The “megaliths” that initially attracted curious visitors to Green Castle Hill are almost certainly geological features, but they are no less impressive and picturesque in order to be natural features. In addition to these impressive megaliths, Green Castle Hill also provides a beautiful view of the island, including both the south-western volcanic mass (of which it is part) and the inner plain. (South of St. Johns, by the way, Jennings and Emanuel).
Big island of birds
Take a tour of the Great Bird Island from Dickenson Bay. The glass bottom of the boat offers unhurried views of the reef, and the restored pirate ship floats around the island and takes passengers on day or evening trips, including meals, drinks and entertainment.
Crescent Bay / Long Bay
Half Moon Bay is a popular national park; It is 1.6 km (1 mile) long and renovated as one of the most beautiful beaches of Antigua. Near Long Bay is protected by a reef small enough to stroll, making it ideal for families.
Barbudas
Visit the less developed Barbuda for its wild beauty, its deserted beaches and its richly forested interior abundant in wildlife. The main village, Codrington, sits on the edge of the lagoon and its inhabitants, largely at sea for their existence. There is also the Frigate Sanctuary of birds, which is home to more than 5,000 frigate birds.
Redonda
For even more privacy and more eccentricity, stop at Redonda, an uninhabited rocky island, about 56 km (35 miles) northeast of Antigua. The island is famous for its unusual monarchy and a small population of burrowing owls, and now the bird has died out on Antigua.
I hope that this article will inspire you to look at this fascinating island, its diversity, as well as its incredible beaches, warm seas and beautiful landscapes. For luxury villas where you can stay and enjoy this wonderful island, look at http://www.lushlocations.com
