Saint Kitts and Nevis
Brimstone Hill Fortress
Brimstone Hill Fortress by Christoph
Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park preserves one of the best-preserved historical military fortifications in the Americas, designed by the British and built by slaves.
The complex of fortifications originates from the 17th and 18th centuries. It is located on the island of St. Kitts, making use of the natural setting of a steep double-peaked hill close to the sea. The fort was abandoned and mostly disbanded in 1853.
Community Perspective: interesting history, but mostly the panoramic views from the fortress are praised. Kelly's review provides practical details of a visit.
Site Info
Official Information
- Full Name
- Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park (ID: 910)
- Country
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Status
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Inscribed 1999
Site history
History of Brimstone Hill Fortress
- 1999: Inscribed
- Inscribed
- WHS Type
- Cultural
- Criteria
- iii
- iv
Links
- UNESCO
- whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
- whc.unesco.org — whc.unesco.org/
Related Resources
- brimstonehillfortress.org — Brimstone Hill Fortress NP
Community Information
- Community Category
- Secular structure: Military and Fortifications
Travel Information
Recent Connections
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Perfect Inscriptions
1999 -
Made out of basaltic material
"The principal structures of the fortre… -
Single Monuments
Connections of Brimstone Hill Fortress
- Geography
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Caribbean Sea
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Located in a microstate
St. Kitts and Nevis (261km2 / 42696 inhabitants) -
Situated in one of the SIDS
St Kitts 1999
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- Trivia
- History
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Sieges and Battles
Jan-Feb 1782. Captured by France during the American Revolutionary War.See en.wikipedia.org
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- Architecture
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Made out of basaltic material
"The principal structures of the fortress are situated on different levels of the upper third of the hill and were constructed in dressed stone (basalt) blocks with a rubble core." (OUV statement)
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- World Heritage Process
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Perfect Inscriptions
1999 -
First inscriptions
St. Kitts and Nevis 1999 -
Only WHS in their country
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Slow Starters
1986-1999 : 13 years -
Single Monuments
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- Human Activity
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Slavery
Built by slave labour
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- Timeline
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Built in the 17th century
"Cannon were first mounted on Brimstone Hill in 1689 during the Nine Years' War, ....when the French used them to capture the English Fort Charles. The English, .....used the same tactic to recapture the fort a year later. From then on, the English used the hill as a fortress, mounting 24-pound cannon, taking advantage of its 972 foot height" (Wiki)
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News
No news.
Recent Visitors
Visitors of Brimstone Hill Fortress
- Adrian Turtschi
- Alberto Rodriguez Gutierrez
- Alejandro Lau
- Alexander Barabanov
- A. Mehmet Haksever
- Ammon Watkins
- Ana
- Andrea Szabo
- AndreaTLV
- Atila Ege
- Ben Pastore
- Bill Maurmann
- Bram de Bruin
- Carlos Sotelo
- Cholden324
- ChrisN
- Christoph
- Christravelblog
- Craig Harder
- Daniel Gabi
- David Aaronson & Melanie Stowell
- David Scott King
- Don Irwin
- Dorejd
- edstar500
- Emilia Bautista King
- Erik G
- Eva Kisgyorgy
- finsbury_jo
- Gary Arndt
- George Evangelou
- George Gdanski
- Ghostbear
- Harald T.
- Harry Mitsidis
- H Beswick
- Hdwilsonau
- Iain Jackson
- Janos
- Jason Boulette
- João Aender
- Joshuakirbens
- Judit Dalla
- KarenBMoore
- kathryn.park
- Kbtwhs
- Kelly Henry
- Kelly Rogers
- Kevin247
- Kevin Padley-Knight
- KreneH
- Lara Adler
- Linz
- ljowers
- Loic Pedras
- Luis Filipe Gaspar
- Matthewsharris
- Michaela0705
- Michael Novins
- michaelsballard
- Michal Marciniak
- Mikko
- MMM
- MWaters66
- Nihal Ege
- Pascal Cauliez
- Pat Martin
- patphilly
- Philipp Leu
- Philipp Peterer
- Piotr Wasil
- pontobaggins
- Preiki
- Qin Xie
- Randi Thomsen
- Roger Ourset
- Roman Bruehwiler
- SHIHE HUANG
- Solivagant
- Sophie
- Susan Stair
- Svein Elias
- Szabolcs Mosonyi
- TheTravelingRanger
- Thomas Buechler
- TimAllen
- Timothy C Easton
- Trine
- Vernon Prieto
- vhuskey29
- Waters88
- Wo_ko
- Zoë Sheng
Community Reviews
Show full reviews
The British started fortifying the double peaked Brimstone Hill in 1690. Sitting at around 800ft it offers commanding views of the coastline and neighbouring islands and with such a steep approach was considered impregnable, the Gibraltar of the Caribbean. Hyperbolic perhaps but it did see some action against the French over the years before being abandoned in 1853. It has since been partially restored and is a pleasant though not outstanding visit if one is in St. Kitts.
Our visit was in Feb 2024. We were on a cruise with a full day stop in St. Kitts. There is no public transport to the fort and rather than take a tour we found a van taxi to take us to the fort and back with about 1 hour of waiting time for $100US. Entry is a pricey $15US now. It is a steep road uphill from the coast and would be a hot and unpleasant walk so we were grateful for the ride. There are various levels of fortifications as you ascend and then a final short hike up one of the peaks to the restored citadel on top. An hour is enough time for a quick look around the citadel and it's few displays, admire the views and then walk over to the barracks and ruined officer's quarters at the base of the other peak. With more time I would have wanted to pack a lunch and just have a picnic more than anything else. Surprisingly for a …
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We visited this site on the last day of a week long visit to Nevis. It is not the most well-preserved colonial fort in the Caribbean, but there is a lot of interesting history here. The fort is difficult to access. Unless you have a car, you need a taxi or a tour. There is an audio tour for $10 US that is very informative, but probably overpriced. It is also $10 US per person to enter the site. The view is breathtaking! It would take a few hours to wander around and see everything at a leisurely pace.
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My husband and I chose St. Kitts as our honeymoon destination because of its Caribbean location and because it had a World Heritage Site. Brimstone Hill was impressive and provided us with a spectacular view of the island! Ben is right - the island is not so touristy but I think tourism is gaining momentum, so hurry and visit!
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My visit to Brimstone was no more than 15 minutes, but this imposing fortress took me back in time and I half-expected to see a ship bearing the Jolly Roger approaching the shores below. The fortress, perched atop a magnificently defensible hill, offers unmatched panoramic views of the verdant slopes of this small yet authentic island that didn't appear to have sold its soul to tourism just yet. I highly recommend renting a scooter and circling the island which is a feasable one day excursion
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Hi there i live pretty close to the Brimstone Hill Fortress and up unitl today i am still marvelled by it's massive structure and size. It is a well maintained Historical site, very peaceful quite and serene. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN THERE YOUR MISSING IT!
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