Bridgetown Barbados... More Than A Duty Free Shopping Center
Three
Hundred Years of
Bridgetown Barbados as a striving town has help to
shape this
fascinating little city.
In Barbados, Bridgetown is the hub of the island’s much
heralded duty
free shopping experience… but there is much
more to this historic town than precious stones and brand name goods.
Sure the shopping is great but Bridgetown as a heritage
tourism site
really is a must see…
Founded in the early 1600’s this small vibrant city along
with Boston was the hub of the British colonial empire in the Western
hemisphere.
Over the last three hundred years Bridgetown Barbados has been the home
of a number of historical landmarks.
Here are some of the more significant ones...
The Nidhe Synagoque
The Nidhe Synagoque
located in Synagoque
Lane in Bridgetown is
one of the standout heritage sites in this small city. Historical
records show that this Synagogue was consecrated in 1654 three years
before the London synagoque.
This makes it is the oldest Synagogue in the Western
Hemisphere… the current building constructed in
1833 was
built to replace the original structure which was destroyed in the
hurricane of 1831.
Today the synagogue still
reflects the architecture of the
1830’s is a fitting monument to the many Jews… who
fled to the island to escape the religious persecution of the early
1600’s.
These early Jews brought with them the expertise and technology that
was need to improve the local sugar industry.
The Nidhe Synagoque reflects a unique period in the history
of Barbados
and commemorates the outstanding contribution by the early Jews to the
development of the Barbadian society.
St. Michael Cathedral
Also in historic Bridgetown Barbados you’ll find The St. Michael Cathedral located on St. Michael Rowe.
This imposing old church is the flagship of the Anglican Church in Barbados Although falling to decay in recent times this beautiful old cathedral was first consecrated in 1665… the same year of the London plaque.
A traditional Gothic Church
with large towering arched windows
and detail interior woodwork has stood out over the centuries as one of
the familiar landmarks in this historic city.
The current building which has fallen into a dilapidated state with
broken windows and termite infested pews…
was constructed in 1789 to replace the original building that was
destroyed by the hurricane of 1780.
Still open to the public you’ll be fascinated by the history
of this old church as you stand in the church yard and read the
tombstones many of them dating back to the late 1600’s and
early 1700’s.
The Barbados Parliament
The Barbados
Parliament buildings are
perhaps the most
outstanding landmarks in Bridgetown…
This is obvious but what may not be so well known is the fact that the
island’s parliament system which was
established in 1639 is
the third oldest in the Commonwealth.
Constructed of coral stone
the parliament buildings like many
of the buildings of this early era are an attractive piece of Gothic
Architecture… which reflex the unique architecture and
culture
of Barbados.
So if you are interested in heritage tourism these
are the outstanding
sites in Bridgetown… but you’ll also find some
other outstanding sites on the outskirts of this remarkable little town.
Historical sites outside of Bridgetown…
The Garrison
Historic Area is the popular
attraction area
comprising The Barbados Museum, George Washington House,
St.
Ann’s Fort, The National Cannon Collection
and The Military
Cemetery.
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