Independence Square
Basseterre, St. Kitts
Constructed in the late 1700s for slave auctions and colonial council meetings, Basseterre’s main public square was rechristened Independence Square in 1983 to commemorate the liberation of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis from Great Britain. A large fountain at its center, excellent examples of British Colonial architecture, painted in white and pastels, line the perimeters.
The Basics
Independence Square is one of the central hubs of the cultural life of the entire region. In darker days, human chattel were kept in tunnels under the Georgian House (now a restaurant) on the south side of the square before being brought up for bidding. Guided walking tours are the best ways to learn about the history of the city, dropping into its most important landmarks. More extensive tours add on a scenic coastal drive to Romney Manor, the Caribelle Batik plantation, and the UNESCO-listed Brimstone Hill Fortress with time to stop at Black Rocks, where volcanic rocks rise from the ocean around the dormant Mt. Liamuiga.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Independence Square is an ideal spot for culture and history lovers.
- Have a bite at the (cash only) food trucks around the square.
- Signs around the square offer information about the island’s history.
- The square is suitable for wheelchair users.
- Feel free to dip your toes in the fountain, though swimming is not allowed.
How to Get There
Independence Square is located in the center of Basseterre, about 450 yards (500 meters) from the city’s main bus station and ferry terminal. Buses service various parts of the city and run to Charlestown, the capital of Nevis island, and may be flagged down anywhere along the route.
When to Get There
The square is open daily, year-round and is a popular meeting-place at any time of day. Food vendors sell tasty street food from the morning until the evening. St. Kitts enjoys a consistent climate year-round, with pleasant temperatures and regular drizzles that keep vegetation lush and green. Beat the crowds by traveling here in the spring and fall shoulder seasons. During hurricane season, June to November, ship and ferry service may be limited.
Old Road Town
Near Basseterre is Old Road Town, the first town the British established in the Caribbean. In 1623, Sir Thomas Warner and a band of settlers arrived on the island’s west coast, set up the town and a tobacco farm that quickly built up the local economy. Walk over to the ravine at Bloody Point where native Carib Indians carved petroglyphs on the walls before the Europeans came.
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