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 has been the
home of a number of historical landmarks. Now this
historic city can boast of being a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.
Here are some of the more significant
landmarks...
The Parliament Buildings of Bridgetown Barbados
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.
The parliament buildings which were completed in 1874 are
constructed of local coral stone. Like many of the
buildings of this early era they are an attractive piece
of Gothic Architecture, which reflex the unique
architecture and culture of Barbados.
These imposing buildings consist of a east wing and a west
wing, the east wing which was completed in 1873 housed the
Chambers and offices of the Senate, the House of Assembly,
the Attorney General, the Solicitor General and the Chief
Parliamentary Counsel.
The West Wing which was completed in 1872 has house many
different arms of government over the years. However in
November of 2006 this wing of Parliament was refurbished
to house the National Heroes Gallery and the Museum of
Parliament..
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 the cathedral 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 and is currently
being restored 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.
