Saint Kitts and Nevis

Brimstone Hill Fortress

WHS Score 2.83
rate
Votes 37 Average 3.12
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Votes for Brimstone Hill Fortress

1.0

  • Vernon Prieto

1.5

  • Solivagant

2.0

  • Carlos Sotelo
  • Svein Elias
  • Waters88

2.5

  • Alexander Barabanov
  • Ammon Watkins
  • George Evangelou
  • Kelly Rogers
  • Philipp Leu

3.0

  • Adrian Turtschi
  • AndreaTLV
  • Cholden324
  • Don Irwin
  • Dorejd
  • Gary Arndt
  • João Aender
  • Kevin247
  • Linz
  • Matthewsharris
  • Nolan B.
  • Sophie

3.5

  • Alejandro Lau
  • ChrisN
  • Christoph
  • Christravelblog
  • Daniel Gabi
  • patphilly
  • Philipp Peterer
  • Randi Thomsen
  • Zoë Sheng

4.0

  • Craig Harder
  • michaelsballard

4.5

  • George Gdanski
  • ljowers

5.0

  • Atila Ege
  • vhuskey29

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
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
Related Resources

Community Information

  • Community Category
  • Secular structure: Military and Fortifications
Travel Information
No travel information
Recent Connections
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Connections of Brimstone Hill Fortress
Geography
Trivia
History
Architecture
  • 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)
World Heritage Process
Human Activity
Constructions
Timeline
  • 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)
News

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Community Reviews

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First published: 02/11/24.

Ammon Watkins

Brimstone Hill Fortress

Brimstone Hill Fortress (Inscribed)

Brimstone Hill Fortress by Ammon Watkins

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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First published: 02/03/19.

Kelly Rogers

Brimstone Hill Fortress

Brimstone Hill Fortress (Inscribed)

Brimstone Hill Fortress by Christoph

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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First published: 18/02/06.

Anonymous

Brimstone Hill Fortress

Brimstone Hill Fortress (Inscribed)

Brimstone Hill Fortress by Christoph

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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First published: 07/06/05.

Ben Pastore

Brimstone Hill Fortress

Brimstone Hill Fortress (Inscribed)

Brimstone Hill Fortress by Christoph

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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First published: 01/05/05.

Anonymous

Brimstone Hill Fortress

Brimstone Hill Fortress (Inscribed)

Brimstone Hill Fortress by Christoph

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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